The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), as the social partners of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), agree to designate the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf as a Warlike Operations Area (WOA) following a review today by the IBF Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC).

The designation upgrades the High Risk Area designation applied to the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf on 2 March and reflects the continuing and heightened threat to seafarers and vessels operating in the region. Hundreds of vessels are stranded in the Gulf following the halt of vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the scale of disruption and risk facing civilian crews in the region.

The WOA designation ensures that seafarers on IBF-covered vessels receive enhanced protections and compensation if they are stranded or operating in the area. Seafarers already within the designated area are entitled to additional compensation and to request repatriation, noting the current, significant operational difficulties, while those instructed to enter it have the right to refuse to sail and request repatriation at the company’s expense.

Under the terms agreed by the IBF parties, seafarers serving on vessels within or entering the designated WOA will be entitled to the following protections:

• A bonus equal to 100% of basic wage, payable for a minimum of five days, and for each additional day a vessel remains in the area.
• Doubled compensation for death and disability arising from incidents in the area.
• The right for seafarers to refuse to sail into the area, with repatriation at the company’s cost and compensation equal to two months’ basic wage.
• A recommendation for ship operators to implement enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3.

These provisions reflect the standard protections applied to seafarers transiting Warlike Operations Areas under IBF agreements. 

The ITF and JNG emphasise that the safety and welfare of seafarers must remain paramount. The safest way to protect seafarers is through de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. At present, the closure of international airspace across the majority of the region is also severely constraining repatriation options for seafarers seeking to leave vessels, further underlining the urgent need for stability and safe passage.

Seafarers operating in or near the designated area should remain vigilant and seek guidance from their companies or unions regarding their rights and options – while recognising that repatriation will be difficult due to restrictions and limitations on air travel and the rapidly evolving security situation. Shipowners and operators will make every effort to facilitate repatriation and take all available measures to safeguard crews,

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important maritime routes in the world, through which a significant share of global energy and commodity trade passes, making peace and stability in the region critical for both seafarer safety and global trade.

The Warlike Operations Area designation will remain under weekly review by the WOAC.