Over 2,400 sailors have been stranded for eight weeks aboard 105 vessels near Egypt due to a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Intertanko, a shipping trade association. The International Maritime Organization estimates that up to 20,000 individuals are trapped on approximately 2,000 ships in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing regional turmoil.
Among those affected is Indian captain Rahul Dahar, who, along with 14 crew members, is stuck at the entrance to Hormuz. The situation has left many sailors anxious and exhausted, with reports of dwindling supplies. “We are mainly afraid of missiles,” Dahar stated, highlighting the pervasive fear of aerial attacks.
International organizations are working to evacuate these stranded crews, while the U.S. has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports, exacerbating the crisis. One Indian crew member expressed uncertainty about their fate, stating, “There is no difference between being stuck in an Iranian port or in the Strait of Hormuz; both places are dangerous.”
Iran has demanded $2 million for each vessel’s passage through Hormuz, prompting some captains to urge their companies for immediate evacuation. The ongoing crisis threatens not only the sailors’ safety but also their financial stability, as prolonged delays impact their pay. Estimates suggest that evacuating the crews could take up to three weeks, raising concerns about when rescue efforts will commence.
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