And that’s not all. Some of the stranded ships are now starting to run out of food and other necessities. “It’s not as easy as people think to get resources to the ships,” explained Hutchinson. “And now we’re beginning to see pressure on supplies getting to the ships. The firms that deliver the supplies are local. Fuel is up from $700 per ton to over $2,000, and these firms have to secure the supplies in the first place, which isn’t easy when the Strait of Hormuz is closed. And in a situation like this, delivering the supplies to the trapped ships requires a lot of time and resources too.”
These ships are also carrying all manner of cargo — oil, gas and fertilizer, of course, but also perishable commodities and, most likely, even livestock. Imagine sitting on top of cargo that could explode at any moment — or die. “Some will be able to leave, but for the ones with U.S. and Israeli affiliation, there’s no way out,” Hutchinson noted.
And Europe-linked ships may remain trapped too: According to the Financial Times, on March 24, Iran circulated a letter to members of the International Maritime Organization, announcing that “non-hostile vessels” would be able to transit, but that Tehran had “taken necessary and proportionate measures to prevent the aggressors and their supporters from exploiting the Strait of Hormuz to advance hostile operations against Iran,”
But crews come from all over the world: Most ratings come from countries like the Philippines, India and Indonesia, while officers typically hail from countries like Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. Hard-working seafarers are on the front line in geopolitical confrontations they have no involvement or say in.
Indeed, the perils in the Persian Gulf aren’t the only man-made threat they face today: In the Red Sea, crews have endured more than two years of Houthi attacks, and several have been killed. The crew of the Galaxy Leader — comprised of 25 nationals from the Philippines, Mexico, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine — were held hostage by the Houthis for over a year.
Meanwhile, around the world, countries’ commitment to maritime rules is fading, and that stands to harm all consumers and national economies. Without shipping, there is no shopping, manufacturing or indeed much economic activity of any kind.