Give seafarers option to turn down Strait of Hormuz work, says ITF

SEAFARERS should have the right to refuse to enter the Straits of Hormuz and Israeli ports, the International Transport Workers’ Federation is urging maritime employers.

The federation has voiced its concern with the Joint Negotiating Group (which represents maritime employers in collective bargaining negotiations) regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Israeli ports and has asked for these zones to be designated as Warlike Operations Areas.

This designation would mean seafarers could refuse to enter the zone or be repatriated without penalty.

ITF Seafarers’ Section chair David Heindel said there had been an “undeniable increase in military activity” in the region.

“The Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz have seen a steady build-up of naval forces from multiple countries.

“Drone strikes, vessel seizures, and armed encounters involving commercial shipping are no longer isolated events — they are part of an increasingly dangerous pattern.”

Heindel said his organisation’s goal was simple: “To ensure they are informed of the risks, supported with appropriate protections, and have the right to protect themselves.”

Seafarers’ Union of Croatia president Neven Melvan said his organisation had heard from some crew members and shipping companies that merchant ships were becoming targets.

“The use of missiles and drones in the vicinity of Israeli ports and along key shipping lanes reflects the asymmetric nature of modern conflict, and it puts civilian seafarers at risk,” he said.

The Red Sea and Indian Ocean have been named as ‘listed areas’ by the Joint War Committee of the London marine insurance market, meaning that vessels entering the region attract substantial additional premiums for war risk cover.

The ITF’s case is that if these waters represent a war risk for ships, they should logically be deemed warlike operations areas for crews, although the two designations remain distinct.

ITF Seafarers’ Section vice chair, Mark Dickinson, said the assessments of the insurance sector “are based on security intelligence, not speculation”.

“If the insurers recognise the threat, so should shipowners,” he said, calling it an obvious contradiction.

“And let’s be honest: if the region truly wasn’t dangerous, there wouldn’t be a large and sustained military presence, armed ships, and naval convoys.

“Declaring these areas as Warlike Operations Areas — or at least High-Risk Areas — gives seafarers the right to say ‘no’ without repercussion.

“We hope employers reconsider their position in the spirit of shared responsibility.”