Seafarers in Peril: The Human Cost of the US-Israeli War on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz

Commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters have faced relentless attacks since the United States and Israel initiated their conflict with Iran nine months ago. This ongoing war has transformed a vital global shipping artery into a hazardous route for crews transporting essential goods like oil and gas.

On Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that three oil tankers, allegedly traveling on an unauthorized route, experienced explosions and significant fires. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has documented the deaths of at least 25 seafarers since the war commenced on February 28. A considerable number of these casualties are Indian nationals, contributing to India's significant role as a supplier of merchant sailors worldwide.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), a prominent trade association and advocacy group, has voiced strong concerns. "It is unacceptable that throughout this conflict seafarers have been placed in harm’s way," an ICS spokesperson stated to Al Jazeera. "It is incumbent on all parties to take all necessary steps to safeguard the safety of seafarers who are simply going about their job and have found themselves, through no fault of their own, in a highly volatile situation." These recent events have ignited critical discussions regarding the safety of civilian crews, their rights to refuse dangerous assignments, and the legal protections available under international maritime law.

What is happening to ships in the Strait of Hormuz?

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for international maritime trade. Prior to the conflict, approximately one-fifth of the world's oil consumption transited this waterway, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Following the US-Israeli attacks, Iran effectively declared the strait closed, warning that unauthorized vessels could be targeted. Concurrently, Washington has implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Attacks on shipping have involved missiles, projectiles, and naval mines, resulting in damaged, burning, or sunk vessels. The IMO has recorded at least 129 such incidents.

On Thursday, Iranian forces reported that five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents within the strait. In a distinct event, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, the Velos Sapphire, sustained an explosion north of Qatar, leading to the death of one crew member. October proved to be an especially perilous month for commercial shipping, with at least 31 vessels reporting attacks.

Who are the seafarers being killed or injured?

The primary victims are civilian merchant sailors operating on oil tankers, cargo ships, and other commercial vessels. Many hail from nations distant from the conflict zone. India has experienced particularly heavy losses, with at least 16 of its citizens killed. In June, three Indian sailors lost their lives in US strikes on commercial vessels near Oman, prompting a diplomatic summons from New Delhi to a senior American diplomat. On Tuesday, Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat died when the cargo vessel MSV Al Jusufi was struck off Oman; thirteen other Indian crew members were rescued. In October, eleven of the twelve injured crew members aboard the Panamanian-flagged tanker On Peace, struck near Oman, were Indian nationals.

Seafarers from other nations have also been among the casualties. In September, two Filipino crew members were killed when the Saudi tanker Sidr was hit by projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian civilian maritime workers have also suffered losses. In May, the head of Iran’s merchant marine union reported that at least 44 Iranian seafarers had been killed and 29 injured since the war began.

What other challenges do seafarers face?

Beyond the immediate threats of death and injury, the war is significantly impacting sailors' mental well-being, according to the ICS spokesperson. "Shipowners are working hard to ensure that impacted seafarers have access to mental health support services as well as increased access to calls with family and friends," the spokesperson noted. The IMO reported in late August that approximately 6,000 seafarers remained stranded near the Strait of Hormuz.

In March, an agreement was reached between maritime unions and shipping companies through the International Bargaining Forum. This arrangement allows seafarers to refuse entry into designated danger zones and provides company-funded repatriation and compensation equivalent to two months' basic wages. The International Transport Workers’ Federation further clarified that the agreement includes increased wages and double the standard compensation for seafarers who die or suffer a disability. However, these protections do not universally apply to all seafarers. Maritime charities warned in May that seafarers in the Gulf also endure severe mental distress, including loneliness, anxiety, and distress.

"As we have throughout the conflict, we strongly urge all ships operating in the region to conduct thorough risk assessments and to maintain vigilance in line with the latest BMP [best management practices] maritime security guidelines," the ICS spokesperson advised.

What does international law say about protecting seafarers during the war?

Under Article 38 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, vessels and aircraft are granted the "right of transit passage," a right that no nation can revoke. Article 17 further guarantees foreign vessels the "right of innocent passage" through a country's territorial waters, provided such passage is not "prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal state" as defined in Article 19.

While the IMO sought arrangements for evacuating stranded sailors in June, efforts to ensure safe passage have encountered persistent obstacles amid ongoing attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Academic Abdul Khalique commented that while international law is clearly applicable, "its enforcement is the weak link." Khalique, head of the Liverpool John Moores University Maritime Centre, told Al Jazeera, "The law is clear on the obligations. The gap is political will and practical enforcement." He added, "For seafarers themselves, legal protections matter most when paired with operational avoidance."