Tired and worried, seafarers have been stranded in the Persian Gulf for weeks, with around 20,000 individuals on hundreds of vessels unable to cross the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively shut by Iran. For about eight weeks, Indian Capt. Rahul Dhar and his crew have been stranded on their tanker, occasionally witnessing drones and missiles explode as the war drags on. The crew's morale is holding as they maintain routines, but strain is evident. A shaky ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has brought cautious hope, yet no clear end to the conflict is in sight.
Stranded Crews Face Tension and Uncertainty
Capt. Dhar noted that the crew sighted drones and missile interceptions multiple times, creating real tension. None expected the warlike situation, but reliable internet has helped them stay connected with families. About 20,000 seafarers are stuck on oil, gas, and cargo ships, unable to transit the strait, which normally handles a fifth of the world's oil and LNG. Roughly 80 vessels passed through the strait in the week of April 13-19, compared to over 130 daily before the war. Dozens of ships have been attacked, with at least 10 seafarers killed, according to the UN.
Ceasefire Extends but Blockade Continues
Even as U.S. President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely, the U.S. maintained a blockade of Iranian ports. Iran responded by firing on ships and seizing two. Capt. ArunKumar Rajendran, also stranded for eight weeks, noted that seafarers are the backbone of global trade yet most affected by geopolitical conflicts. Manoj Kumar Yadav of the Forward Seamen's Union of India said thousands of Indian sailors endured fear and isolation, with explosions occurring just hundreds of meters away. Many watched blasts from their decks, and the union receives daily distress calls.
Food and Water Shortages Reported
Yadav reported acute shortages of food and drinking water on some vessels, forcing rationing. Communication with families was sporadic due to internet disruptions and signal jamming, with sailors paying high roaming charges for brief calls. Families are increasingly anxious, demanding safe return. Mohamed Arrachedi of the International Transport Workers' Federation said hundreds of requests for assistance, including food, have been received.
Crew Faces Drones and Manual Navigation
Reza Muhammad Saleh, an Indonesian chief officer on a Greek-owned cargo ship stranded off Oman, said a drone exploded near the port after arrival, with two more incidents forcing evacuations. The biggest problem is uncertainty about when Hormuz will reopen. The vessel requires written clearance from Iran, and no company wants to take the risk without it. GPS disruptions forced manual navigation, rattling the crew.
Crew Changes Difficult
Fleet Management Limited communicates multiple times daily with dozens of stranded ships. CEO Capt. Rajalingam Subramaniam said stock checks for food are maintained, but crew changes are limited. Inbound crew have the right to refuse, and most mariners did not sign up for a war zone. Among vessels attempting to cross during the ceasefire, several were fired upon or turned back. Germany's Hapag-Lloyd has around 150 sailors stranded on six vessels, with daily contact maintained. Monotony sets in after long periods.
Global Seafarer Shortage to Worsen
The International Maritime Organization and others have called for a safe corridor, but most ships cannot pass. Iran claimed the strait was open to non-hostile vessels but demanded tolls and reportedly placed mines. The U.S. is clearing mines and warned it would shoot at mine-laying boats. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said there is no safe transit anywhere in the strait. Multiple crises, including COVID-19, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Houthi attacks, have stranded seafarers before. Subramaniam worries that fewer people will sign up after the war, worsening an existing shortage of skilled seafarers.
