Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Indian Seafarers Face Risks Sailing Through Strait of Hormuz
About 20,000 Indian sailors are working on ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman.
Many ships normally use it to carry oil and other petroleum products around the world.
The current US-Iran war has made the area more dangerous and disrupted ship movements.
Some shipowners are offering extra money and insurance to sailors who continue sailing there.
The sailors help keep international trade moving.
However, extra pay does not remove the danger.
A seafarers’ union says the sailors’ safety and jobs both need protection.
Around 20,000 Indian seafarers are working aboard cargo ships in the Persian Gulf, especially near the Strait of Hormuz.
The 21-kilometre-wide Strait normally carries more than 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products daily.
Cargo-ship movements have been severely affected by the volatile situation during the continuing US-Iran war, according to the report.
Shipowners are offering war-risk compensation, bonuses and enhanced insurance benefits to seafarers sailing through high-risk areas.
The National Union of Seafarers of India says safety, freedom of choice and continued employment must be balanced.
- Who
- Around 20,000 Indian seafarers, shipowners and the National Union of Seafarers of India.
- What
- Indian seafarers face heightened risks while working aboard cargo ships that sail through or near the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- During the continuing US-Iran war and the present volatile situation.
- Where
- The Persian Gulf, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a 21-kilometre-wide waterway between Iran and Oman.
- Why
- Cargo ships use the route to transport energy products and support global trade, despite increased maritime risks.
- Seafarers affected
- Around 20,000 Indian seafarers
- Location
- Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman
- Strait width
- 21 kilometres
- Normal daily energy flows
- More than 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products
- Main cargo origins
- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar and Iran
- Major destination markets
- India, China, Japan and South Korea, along with other international destinations
- Compensation offered
- War-risk compensation, bonuses and enhanced insurance benefits