"When the war broke out, we put a Warlike Operations Area Committee in place to address the protection of seafarers in the region. The organization has identified certain maritime routes in the region, including the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and some parts of the Gulf of Oman as high-risk areas, encouraging ship owners to allow seafarers to terminate contracts if they choose not to operate in those zones."
"According to ITF, 2025 saw the highest number of ship abandonments on record, with 409 vessels reported abandoned and more than 6,200 seafarers affected globally. Over 150 of those cases occurred across the wider Middle East region. Indian nationals made up the largest group of abandoned seafarers, followed by Filipinos and Syrians."
"Since the escalation of conflict in the region, ITF officials say they have received dozens of distress calls daily from seafarers, particularly those on vessels where owners have ceased communication. In some cases, ITF documented that the machinery of the ships was destroyed, leaving them without fuel and power."
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) emphasizes the need for cooperation from ship owners to protect seafarers in high-risk maritime areas. The organization has identified specific routes, such as the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, as dangerous. In 2025, a record number of ship abandonments occurred, affecting over 6,200 seafarers, with Indian nationals being the most impacted. Distress calls from seafarers have surged, particularly from those on abandoned vessels, highlighting the dire situation in conflict-affected regions.
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