On the other end of the line, as the Wall Street Journal reveals in its report, there is often a man: Mohamed Arashendi, regional coordinator of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), who has become a key point of contact for crews remaining trapped in the Persian Gulf.
Every morning, as he himself describes to the Wall Street Journal, he wakes up to dozens of missed calls and messages on WhatsApp. On one side, seafarers reporting that they have remained unpaid for months. On the other, crews warning that food and basic supplies are running out.
Since the Strait of Hormuz turned into one of the most dangerous maritime zones in the world, Arashendi and his team have received more than 2,000 requests for help.
“There is absolutely no precedent for what is happening now,” he states characteristically, describing a situation that is worsening daily.
The attacks on commercial vessels, restrictions on navigation and the fear of new military escalation have created a suffocating environment for thousands of seafarers who remain away from their homes for weeks or even months.
Many crews continue to move in areas where attacks with drones, missiles or unknown projectiles are recorded, while several ships remain anchored waiting for instructions or a safe passage.
For seafarers, daily life has turned into a combination of exhaustion, uncertainty and psychological pressure. Beyond the fear of an attack, many are also worried about whether they will manage to return to their families soon.
At the same time, international shipping organizations and workers’ unions warn that the prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz threatens not only global trade and energy flows, but also the safety of thousands of people trapped at sea.
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