The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has ramped up pressure on global governments to take concrete action to protect seafarers caught in the escalating geopolitical crisis within the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. Following the 36th extraordinary session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in London, the ITF underscored that the region has become a 'human crisis at sea' rather than a mere geopolitical dispute.
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton stated clearly that the safety, health, and dignity of civilian seafarers are being compromised by attacks on vessels, navigation system disruptions, and acute shortages of essential supplies. The organization emphasized that seafarers are civilian workers who should never be treated as expendable in active conflict zones.
Lydia Ferrad, the ITF’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, painted a harrowing picture of the current conditions, reporting that seafarers are trapped on board ships in states of fear and fatigue, with some already having suffered injuries or death. The ITF is now demanding that all flag states issue unambiguous notices to shipowners and operators to cease transits through these high-risk war zones.
In response to the crisis, the IMO Council has encouraged the establishment of 'maritime corridors' to facilitate the safe evacuation of vessels and crews. While the ITF supports this initiative in principle, Cotton warned that these corridors must be guaranteed to be genuinely safe in practice, ensuring that no further risks are imposed upon the lives of the crews.
The volatility in the region has already had tangible effects on global shipping operations and bunker markets. Several suppliers in the Middle East, including those in Fujairah, have ceased deliveries due to cross-border airstrikes, creating significant uncertainty. The resulting supply chain disruption, coupled with rising oil prices, continues to put unprecedented pressure on the global maritime sector.
Ultimately, the ITF’s message to the international community is one of urgency. As the IMO works with relevant parties to implement evacuation routes, the focus must remain squarely on the protection of innocent seafarers who, despite the conflict, are the backbone of global trade.