Flag state failures putting seafarers at risk in Persian Gulf: Union renews calls for safe passage

The escalating US-Israeli war against Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having 'profound and deep impacts' on the global economy, with fuel prices already spiking and supply chains under threat. 

Around 20,000 seafarers on 2,000 ships are currently stuck in the Persian Gulf, while hundreds more vessels wait outside for safe passage, turning the region into a chokepoint for world trade. 

Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson said the union is urgently negotiating with partners and the shipping industry to ensure warlike operations area agreements are upheld covering the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and parts of the eastern Mediterranean.  

'Members are being strongly encouraged not to sail into the Persian Gulf due to the heightened risk of attack on merchant vessels.' 

Mr Dickinson condemned open‑registry flag states (where vessels sail under a flag of convenience) for being 'next to useless in a crisis', lacking naval assets yet dominating the world fleet. Countries with real military capacity must once again step up to protect merchant shipping.  

Nautilus supports calls for a peaceful solution by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).  

Mr Dickinson drew parallels with the Covid‑era crew change crisis, calling on flag states, shipowners and regulators to prioritise seafarers' welfare, including repatriation where possible, access to medical care, communication with families and essential supplies for ships stuck in the region. 

'This again highlights the vital role of seafarers in global trade – lessons that should have been learned during Covid but appear to have been forgotten,' said Mr Dickinson 

'Seafarers should never be used as collateral damage in any conflict, and we are urging all flag states to coordinate closely and ensure that all rights under the Maritime Labour Convention are upheld despite the mounting pressures of war.'