The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has urgently called for government action to safeguard seafarers after the recent session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in London. This meeting addressed increasing dangers in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz, where seafarers face vessel attacks, navigation risks, and supply shortages.
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton emphasized the critical need for immediate measures to protect the lives and well-being of seafarers trapped in the region. He insisted that words alone are insufficient in the face of daily threats and called for effective, practical interventions to ensure their safety and dignity.
Lydia Ferrad, the ITF representative at the IMO, stressed that the crisis poses severe risks to crews, with reports of fatalities and injuries. Many seafarers remain stranded under distressing conditions, facing uncertainty about their return home and dealing with limited access to basic necessities.
The ITF supports the IMO’s proposal for a “maritime corridor” to facilitate the safe evacuation of seafarers and vessels from the Gulf area. The IMO Secretary-General will now engage with relevant stakeholders to implement this essential step.
Share it now
Related posts:
ITF Highlights Plight of Abandoned Indian Seafarers
ITF and MARINA Partner to Enhance Mental Health Training for Filipino Seafarers
ITF Calls for Accountability as Seafarer Abandonment Cases Rise Globally
Seafarer Abandonment Surges in 2025: ITF Urges Action as Unpaid Wages and Human Rights Violations Rise
