‘No precedent’ for seafarers caught in war zone in post-WW2 era

(UN News) Some 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as the war in the Middle East continues, a situation which has been described as unprecedented in the post-Second World War era. The seafarers are working on some 2,000 ships including oil and gas tankers, bulk carriers, cargo ships as well as six tourist cruise liners. The ships are trapped in the Persian Gulf and are unable to pass through the narrow strait owing to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Iran borders the strait on its northern side and has said it will only allow passage to “non-hostile” ships. Prior to the conflict, around 150 vessels passed through the waterway every day, but now only four or five do so. On Monday, two Chinese-flagged cargo ships had reportedly embarked on the four-to-six-hour journey through the strait and into the Gulf of Oman and safer waters outside the war zone. – ‘No precedent’ for seafarers caught in war zone in post-WW2 era | UN News