The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has marked 100 days since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East with renewed calls for a ceasefire and stronger protections for civilian transport workers, including seafarers. The union described the war, which began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, as a conflict “civilian transport workers did not start, cannot end and have paid for – with their lives, their health and their freedom.” It said transport workers across the supply chain have been drawn into the violence, including airport staff in early attacks and seafarers caught up in escalating incidents at sea.
Shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf has come under repeated attack, with vessels struck, seized and crew members killed, injured or detained. Figures from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) show 42 confirmed incidents in the region since 1 March, with 11 seafarer deaths recorded up to 8 June.
The ITF said more than 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, cut off from their families and facing indefinite delays in repatriation. It said it has received over 2,500 requests for assistance and has helped more than 600 seafarers return home.
The union warned of growing mental health pressures on crews forced to remain onboard for extended periods, alleging that some employers have invoked force majeure to extend contracts, restrict communications and delay repatriation. It insisted that war must not be used to weaken labour protections, urging full enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention, including guaranteed crew changes, timely pay, free communication with families and safe return home.
The ITF also demanded an immediate ceasefire, the release of detained seafarers and vessels, protection of civilian infrastructure under international law, and an end to the misuse of force majeure against workers. It said any humanitarian maritime corridor must only operate with binding, verified security guarantees for ships and crews, and called for urgent United Nations-led diplomacy toward a lasting peace under the UN Charter.