The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East and the agreement to allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz over the coming two weeks.
"For the hundreds of seafarers of all nationalities caught in the middle of this crisis, this announcement will bring real and immediate relief, that must now be translated into safe, orderly and guaranteed transit through the Strait. That has to be the priority,” said Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary. "Civilian seafarers should never have been exposed to the risks of warfare, nor should commercial vessels ever be considered targets.”
However, a temporary ceasefire is not enough, it must be the start of a permanent de-escalation.
"We call on all parties to make this ceasefire permanent and to uphold their responsibilities under international law to protect civilian shipping and the seafarers who keep it moving."
To guarantee the safety of seafarers and the integrity of global supply chains, the ITF calls for:
- An absolute commitment from all parties that civilian vessels will not be targeted.
- A coordinated management of vessel movements through the Strait with phased transits to ensure safe and orderly transit.
"The ITF will continue to work closely with shipowners, industry partners and governments in the Gulf, alongside key labour-supplying nations, to ensure seafarers’ concerns and needs are heard - and their safety, dignity and basic needs are delivered. We will prioritise working with our industry partners to ensure that seafarers who have been stranded in the Gulf are repatriated and reunited with their loved ones without delay,” said Cotton.
For more information, contact: media@itf.org.uk
Photo credit: REUTERS