The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas supplies, remains a perilous zone as over 20,000 sailors find themselves stranded amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Despite a recent extension of a ceasefire, numerous vessels are effectively isolated and under threat.
On April 18, an Indian oil tanker captain made a distress call to Iranian forces, pleading for them to cease fire as his crew faced gunfire. “You gave me permission to leave. My name is second on your list,” he reported in a recorded transmission. Hours later, a French container ship operated by CMA CGM experienced warning shots, with the crew remaining unharmed but under significant stress. Another incident occurred on April 22 when a Liberian-flagged container ship was also targeted near Oman.
The situation has been dire for over fifty days, with the Strait of Hormuz witnessing a series of attacks that have left ten sailors dead, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Nearly thirty incidents have been documented since the onset of Israeli-American coalition strikes on February 28, marking the area as a high-risk zone.
Although a ceasefire was reaffirmed on April 21, the IMO reports that thousands of sailors continue to navigate these treacherous waters. Emmanuel Chalar, Secretary-General of the Federation of Maritime Officers (FOMM-CGT), noted that among those trapped, approximately fifty are French, stationed on vessels such as a cable-laying ship operated by Louis-Dreyfus Company or one of CMA CGM’s container ships.
Chalar expressed concerns regarding communication with the sailors, stating, “Honestly, it’s extremely difficult to get news from them.” The uncertainty surrounding their situation exacerbates the stress they face. Union representatives are urging shipowners to employ crew members trained for wartime conditions.
“Their salaries and bonuses have doubled since the war began. While this is a positive development, it does not guarantee their safety,” Chalar added. A representative from a French shipping company echoed these sentiments, expressing daily worries for colleagues who are simply doing their jobs amidst the chaos.
One French sailor, who recently spent three weeks in the area, described the atmosphere: “Drones flew overhead. We heard many explosions and interceptions. It was strange to be told there was no risk when the reality contradicted that.”
As hundreds of vessels remain immobilized in the Strait, major shipping companies have established crisis units to support their crews. Others have set up hotlines for assistance. Mohamed Arrachédi, coordinator for the International Transport Workers’ Federation in the Arab world and Iran, reported that their communication channels are overwhelmed with messages from sailors seeking help.
“Since the war began, we’ve received inquiries from 1,800 to 2,000 sailors, including Filipinos, Georgians, Ukrainians, Egyptians, and Ethiopians,” he noted. Many sailors are deeply concerned for their lives, sending photographs of their families in case of emergencies.
On April 19, Arrachédi spoke for 45 minutes with two Burmese sailors who had not received their wages for ten months. Their vessel was set to transit from Oman through the Strait to Iran, and they expressed significant anxiety about the journey.
“The sailors contacting us are in a difficult state. They are physically and psychologically exhausted and see no end to this situation,” he explained. Their messages reflect the harsh realities they face, with some reporting that they sleep in their clothes in preparation for emergencies and stay away from windows to avoid detection.
Reports of dwindling supplies are becoming increasingly common. “Some vessels have been stationary for weeks and were not prepared for such a scenario. Supplies are running low,” Arrachédi stated. Some sailors have resorted to fishing to supplement their food resources.
Freshwater management is critical. In a video obtained by France Télévisions, crews meticulously track their water supplies: “If we count, we still have 167 tons of water left. Yesterday, we used only 3 tons. We monitor this daily.” Greek sailor Vangelis Dimakis documented his experiences at sea, sharing videos on TikTok, although his account has since become inaccessible.
“In addition to rockets, drones, and explosions, we must manage our consumption of water, food, and fuel,” he remarked in one of his videos. His observations highlight the precarious conditions faced by those trapped in the Strait.
The ongoing maritime crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has left thousands of sailors stranded amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Despite a ceasefire, the situation remains dire, with reports of attacks on vessels and dwindling supplies, raising concerns for the safety and wellbeing of the crews involved.