All 19 vessels sailing under the Cypriot flag currently in the Strait of Hormuz remain safe, according to updates from authorities, amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Charalambos Avgousti, secretary general of the OMEPEGE-SEK a trade union in Cyprus representing seafarers and maritime workers, said no Cypriot seafarers are stranded in the area.
Seafarers’ rights in conflict zones
Avgousti stressed that the primary concern remains the safety of seafarers, noting that those unwilling to travel through dangerous areas due to war conditions have the right to disembark.
“Once an area is designated a warlike zone, seafarers have the right not to remain on board a vessel transiting through it,” he said.
Incident involving merchant vessel
He referred to the vessel Star Gwyneth, operated by the Greek-linked company Star Bulk, which was struck by a missile on 11 March while sailing approximately 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai.
The vessel sustained damage, including a large breach, but all crew members were reported safe and supplied, with no injuries recorded. The ship has since moved away from the high-risk area.
Around 20 crew members were on board. Employees working on Star Bulk vessels are covered through international agreements involving the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), as well as unions in Cyprus and Greece.
Coordination with authorities
Avgousti said the union remains in contact with the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry to assess any required action, noting that no Cypriot nationals were involved in the incident, although some Greek seafarers were on board.
At the same time, the ITF is participating in an emergency two-day meeting of the International Maritime Organization, focusing on the safety of seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region.
Expanding “warlike zones”
According to Avgousti, the ITF has already revised its policy on “warlike zones” shortly after the outbreak of the Iran conflict, expanding the designation to include the broader Middle East.
He noted that there were proposals to include the Eastern Mediterranean, but this was ultimately not adopted.
“The positive aspect is that there have been no strikes on vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean, near Cyprus or Israel,” he said, warning that such a designation would have significant operational and economic consequences.
Shipping impact
He added that disruptions are already affecting global shipping, as vessels avoid passing through the Strait of Hormuz and, to a lesser extent, the Suez Canal.
“If the conflict continues for a prolonged period, our region could also be included in these zones,” he warned.
Status of Cyprus-flagged vessels
Regarding the 19 Cyprus-flagged ships reported by the Shipping Deputy Ministry to be in the Strait, Avgousti said they remain safe.
“They are safe, they were not at risk, and they did not load cargo. Some have moved to safer locations,” he said.
Source: CNA