Commercial seafarers navigating the Strait of Hormuz face severe peril as attacks by missiles, naval mines, and projectiles damage vessels nine months into the US-Israeli war on Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
The International Maritime Organization has recorded at least 25 deaths among merchant crews since the conflict began on February 28. India, a primary supplier of global merchant sailors, has suffered heavy casualties, including citizens killed by strikes and explosions.
Iran essentially closed the crucial oil shipping corridor after the initial attacks, warning unauthorized vessels they would be targeted. Washington simultaneously imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, trapping civilian crews in a volatile combat zone.
The International Chamber of Shipping stated that it is unacceptable that seafarers have been placed in harm’s way while simply going about their jobs. The organization urged all parties to take necessary steps to safeguard civilian crews.
Recent incidents underscore the ongoing danger in the region. On Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that three rogue oil tankers traveling unauthorized routes suffered explosions and severe fires.
Days prior, Iranian forces stated that five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents within the strait. A Marshall Islands-flagged tanker named Velos Sapphire also suffered an explosion north of Qatar, killing one crew member.
Indian merchant sailors have accounted for significant losses during the conflict. Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat died when the cargo vessel MSV Al Jusufi was struck off Oman, while 13 other crew members were rescued.
In October, 12 crew members were injured when the Panamanian-flagged tanker On Peace was struck near Oman. Eleven of those injured were Indian nationals.
Other nations have also suffered casualties among commercial crews. Two Filipino merchant sailors died in September when the Saudi tanker Sidr was hit by projectiles near the strait.
Iranian civilian maritime workers have experienced significant casualties as well. The head of Iran’s merchant marine union reported in May that at least 44 Iranian seafarers had been killed and 29 injured.
Beyond physical danger, the conflict has severely impacted sailors’ mental health. Approximately 6,000 seafarers remained stranded near the Strait of Hormuz in October, facing profound isolation and anxiety.
Maritime unions and shipping companies negotiated an arrangement in March through the International Bargaining Forum. The agreement allows seafarers to refuse entry into designated danger zones while receiving company-funded repatriation and compensation equivalent to two months of basic wages.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation noted that the agreement also provides increased wages and double compensation for seafarers who die or suffer disabilities. However, maritime charities warn that these protections do not cover every civilian crew member.
International law guarantees the right of transit passage and innocent passage under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Despite these legal protections, efforts by the International Maritime Organization to establish safe evacuation corridors have faced persistent operational obstacles.
Abdul Khalique, head of the Liverpool John Moores University Maritime Centre, noted that while international law applies, its enforcement remains the weak link. He stated that the law is clear on obligations, but the gap lies in political will and practical enforcement.
| Incident Metric / Date Range | Reported Figure | Key Affected Group |
|---|---|---|
| Seafarer Deaths (IMO Data) | At least 25 killed | Citizens of India and other nations |
| Total Reported Maritime Incidents | At least 129 incidents | Commercial tankers and cargo ships |
| Stranded Seafarers (August/October) | About 6,000 sailors | Crews near the Strait of Hormuz |
| Iranian Seafarer Casualties (May) | 44 killed, 29 injured | Iranian civilian maritime workers |
The International Chamber of Shipping continues to urge all vessels operating in the region to conduct thorough risk assessments and maintain vigilance in line with the latest maritime security guidelines.
