When conflicts disrupt global shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, some vessels are unable to depart. Across crucial maritime corridors in the Gulf region, ships have become immobilized—some due to escalating hostilities, while others are caught in a more obscure failure of a global shipping system where ownership, regulation, and accountability often do not coincide.
This disconnect can lead to detrimental outcomes for the maritime workforce on board, leaving them with no means of departure.
A seafarer from Kerala, PK Vijay, had taken out a loan anticipating stable maritime employment that would provide for his family. “I was told I would be working on a ship,” he states. “But upon my arrival, I found myself assigned to a scrap vessel.” Vijay was informed that a transfer to another ship would be arranged.
As months progressed without any change, the promised transfer never materialized. Vijay claims both the recruitment agent and the owner of the ship ceased all communication. Now, over a year later, he has not received any payment.
“I have completed my contract but have not been compensated a single rupee. It has now been 14 months, and they won’t even allow us to disembark,” he asserts.
The two-person crew of the Mahakal similarly remains in limbo, having not heard from the owner for more than a year and lacking payment for their labor. Vijay explains that without an official “sign-off” letter from the ship owner, he cannot legally disembark or return home.
Caught in the System
Since the conflicts began in the region, many civilian vessels have found themselves trapped amid the hostilities. The situation has worsened further with Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively immobilizing ships and exposing them to potential attacks.
For the crews aboard these ships, the inability to move brings significant risks. “Fortunately, we have not faced any attacks or incidents close to us,” Vijay comments. “However, we live in constant fear.”
As a response to the joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran, approximately 1,900 commercial vessels have become stranded in or around the Strait of Hormuz, particularly in the Arabian Gulf. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reported at least 18 incidents of attacks on vessels in the region up to March 24, which include injuries and fatalities.
For around 20,000 seafarers and port workers operating throughout the area, risks have escalated. Stranded crews find their options increasingly limited.
Built Across Borders
The contemporary shipping industry often spans various jurisdictions: a vessel may be owned in one country, registered in another, managed by a third, and physically located elsewhere.
In typical circumstances, this complexity facilitates global trade. However, during crises, it can leave workers in precarious situations—especially on vessels that are poorly regulated or effectively abandoned.
Vijay’s situation is emblematic of a legal grey area that many seafarers encounter. Ships can be owned, registered, and operated across different nations, which results in a lack of clear authority when issues arise. Even upon completing their contracts, seafarers often depend on ship owners to officially sign off on their release.
In light of the ongoing conflict, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) initiated a Warlike Operations Area Committee aimed at safeguarding seafarers in the affected regions. The organization has designated maritime routes in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and certain areas of the Gulf of Oman as high-risk zones, advocating for ship owners to permit seafarers to terminate contracts if they choose not to operate in these waters.
However, the effectiveness of such measures hinges on the cooperation of ship owners—an aspect that becomes especially challenging with abandoned vessels.
The Rise of Abandoned Ships
Vijay’s ship, Mahakal, has a documented history of labor issues. Maritime advocacy organizations identify it as privately owned and lacking official registration with the IMO. This circumstance is not unique.
According to the ITF, thousands of seafarers have been abandoned during some of the most challenging periods in shipping history, highlighting the systemic failures in labor protections within the global maritime industry.
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