Raman Kapoor, an Indian captain of a commercial vessel, has characterized seafarers as “pawns” in a recent interview with CBC News. He emphasized that the global discourse surrounding seafarers tends to arise only in the wake of tragedies, such as when one of them dies. Kapoor expressed frustration over society’s tendency to wait for a death to prompt discussions about the challenges faced by sailors. His own ship remained stranded in the Persian Gulf for two-and-a-half months, highlighting the precarious situation many seafarers find themselves in.
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has resulted in the deaths of at least six Indian seafarers, with thousands more stranded in the region. Three of the fatalities occurred due to a deliberate American strike on a tanker, while the others were victims of Iranian attacks on maritime targets during the height of the war in March. This situation has left around 8,000 seafarers and 400 ships trapped in the Persian Gulf, where tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to escalate.
India is a significant contributor to the global seafaring workforce, supplying approximately 300,000 seafarers, which constitutes about 10-12% of the total global labor force. Seafarers face compounded risks, as U.S. military actions have targeted ships for alleged blockade violations, while Iran has attacked vessels straying from designated routes. Recently, Iran announced that ships must adhere strictly to specified paths through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening the safety of those who deviate.
