20,000 Seafarers Caught in Persian Gulf Crisis

Since the Iran-U.S. conflict began, about 20,000 seafarers have been stuck on vessels in the Persian Gulf for eight weeks. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, Iranian navigation fees and a U.S. naval blockade prevent docking in Iranian or Gulf Arab ports, leaving hundreds of ships anchored.

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Iran imposed navigation rules allowing only vessels from “friendly” nations to pass the Strait for a fee. The Trump administration announced a naval blockade targeting ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and warned firms of sanctions. Together, daily transits fell from over a hundred to a handful.

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Key actors include the IMO, whose Maritime Safety Division director Damien Chevallier calls the crisis unprecedented; the ITF, represented by Mohamed Arrachedi; India’s Forward Seamen’s Union led by Manoj Yadav; and ship owners of vessels such as the India-flagged tanker *Auroura*, who have not responded.

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20,000 seafarers are stranded, with 800–1,000 vessels seeking passage. At least ten crew members have died in attacks, and some crews report eight to eleven months of unpaid wages. The *Auroura* was hit by a drone on 13 March 2026, damaging a lifeboat.

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Auroura crew report food and water shortages, reuse of air-conditioning condensate for washing, and sleeping with clothing on. A sailor described a dark explosion that ripped across the deck, narrowly missing a watch-standing crew member. Captain Isdik Alam says crews have been forced to collect water from air-conditioning drains.

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IMO director Damien Chevallier called the situation “an unprecedented humanitarian crisis” and urged action. The U.S. administration reaffirmed its blockade intent, warning firms against paying Iranian fees. Iran offers limited passage only to vessels deemed “friendly.” UKMTO logged the *Auroura* incident report.

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Manoj Yadav warned crews face “shortages of supplies” and lack repatriation. ITF coordinator Mohamed Arrachedi called the situation “abandonment,” citing intimidation, unpaid wages and verbal threats. Seafarers say owners threatened to brand them hijackers if they refused Iranian oil loads.

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Ship owners have not answered media inquiries, leaving their view undocumented. Vessel-transit estimates range from 800 to 1,000, and the death toll beyond “at least ten” is unverified. The timing of the U.S. blockade enforcement remains unclear.

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• “It is an unprecedented situation,” — Damien Chevallier, Director, Maritime Safety Division, IMO

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• “The crew is facing shortages of basic supplies,” — Manoj Yadav, Union Organizer, Forward Seamen’s Union of India

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• “It’s not only repatriation, it’s abandonment,” — Mohamed Arrachedi, Flag-of-Convenience Network Coordinator, ITF

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• “I am not a warrior. I am a seafarer,” — Captain Isdik Alam, Sailor, Persian Gulf

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The IMO’s warning has spurred calls for a humanitarian response, yet the Strait of Hormuz stays closed. The U.S. blockade deadline approaches, and without diplomatic progress more vessels and crews risk joining the stranded fleet.

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