4,000 seafarers from merchant ships and 3,000 crew members from cruise ships: The military escalation between the USA, Israel and Iran is affecting a growing number of crews.
In a recent statement, the German Seafarer’s Mission (Deutsche Seemannsmission, DSM) points out that thousands of seafarers are also affected by the conflict in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz has now been officially declared closed by Iran. There are at least 200 merchant ships with a good 4,000 seafarers on board in the region around the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, six cruise ships with around 3,000 crew members are currently anchored in ports in the region, according to DSM Secretary General Matthias Ristau, citing ship tracker portals.
“At least four ships were hit. That shows how dangerous it is there at the moment,” says Ristau. One sailor was killed when the tanker “MKD Vyom” was hit off the coast of Oman. The tanker “Skylight” was also the target of an attack north of the port of Khasab in Oman. Five Indian and Iranian sailors on board were injured.
“Merchant seafarers supply people all over the world. There is no justification for attacking civilian seafarers,” said Ristau. “Many seafarers in the region and their families at home are worried. The thin steel skin of the ships offers hardly any security in the event of attacks.”
The DSM offers seafarers the dsm.care chat and can thus provide pastoral care, at least online. It is also connected to organizations in the region via the ecumenical association of seafarer’s missions in the network, which will hopefully soon be able to visit seafarers in the ports on board again. (MM)
