The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) have officially designated the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters as a High Risk Area (HRA). This decisive action, taken by the social partners of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), follows a sharp escalation in military tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The designation reflects a rapidly deteriorating security environment, citing confirmed reports of attacks on commercial vessels and the growing risk to maritime personnel. With more than 200 vessels currently anchored near the Strait due to extreme uncertainty, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has urged maximum caution and advised vessels to avoid the area where possible.
"Seafarers are civilian workers. They must never be exposed to military risk or used as leverage in geopolitical conflict," the ITF and JNG stated in a joint address. "Their safety must come before all commercial considerations."
The High Risk Area designation triggers immediate and enhanced protection for all seafarers covered by IBF agreements. Under these mandates, shipowners and operators are required to perform rigorous security evaluations through enhanced risk assessments prior to any transit.
Furthermore, companies must ensure full transparency by providing crews with clear and timely information regarding security conditions while fully implementing all contractual, insurance, and safety protocols to safeguard their personnel.
In a critical expansion of worker rights, the IBF Warlike Operations Area Committee has officially included the seafarers’ right to refuse to sail into the area as a primary condition of the High Risk Area status. This ensures that maritime workers are not forced into dangerous waters against their will and that their safety remains the priority over commercial interests. Shipowners are now obligated to engage directly with crews and their representatives regarding voyage planning and risk mitigation to maintain the highest standards of life at sea.
