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Posted on 03/09/2026 12:31:30 PM PDT by central_va
Recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have led to widespread refusal by some shipping crews to sail through the waterway, even when companies have issued orders, due to heightened security risks and union demands.
Why Crews Are Refusing to Go Through The Strait of Hormuz, a 20% global oil chokepoint, has seen tanker traffic drop by 70–90% since U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, and retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks Wikipedia+1. Iran has issued warnings to fire on any ship attempting passage, and at least 200 vessels are anchored outside the strait NewsBreak. Insurers have canceled war-risk coverage, making safe passage prohibitively expensive NBC News+1.
Union Actions and Agreements
Greek seafarers, controlling a large share of the world’s merchant fleet, staged a 24-hour strike in March 2026 over crews stranded in the Gulf NewsBreak. Their union, PNO, called for an immediate evacuation of all seafarers in the region and a ban on transit through the strait. After negotiations, the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reached an agreement allowing seafarers to refuse to sail into the Middle East Gulf region. Under the deal:
Crews could refuse transit if they chose.
Companies would pay for repatriation and offer two months’ basic wage in compensation.
Higher pay and doubled compensation in cases of death or disability NewsBreak.
Broader Industry Impact Major shipping firms like Maersk have suspended all crossings through the strait until further notice Fox News. The International Maritime Organization warns of about 20,000 seafarers in the region facing risks from attacks, supply shortages, and unsafe conditions NewsBreak.
Political and Market Fallout The crisis has driven oil prices above $100 per barrel for the first time in four years, with Brent crude peaking at $126 Wikipedia. The U.S. government has offered naval escorts and insurance to encourage transit, but many crews remain unwilling to risk passage NBC News.
In summary: Crews are refusing to go through the Strait of Hormuz due to credible threats of attacks, loss of insurance, and union-backed safety demands. While some companies still attempt transit, the combination of political threats, insurance gaps, and crew solidarity is effectively halting most traffic, deepening the energy market crisis.
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Or maybe offer them testosterone supplements...
These are civilian ships and are flagged in foreign countries. The owners intentionally registered them in foreign countries to avoid U.S. oversight and taxes.
Let the owners staff their ships - not us.
They (crews) are acting like cowards. It’s not an insurance problem. The US government will make good on any losses of cargo and ship. It’s a union problem.
A simple solution is to take the crew out of the equation and temporary man the tankers with USCG or USN crews.
This is temporary solution and a good one. Take the crew out of the equation. This isnt hard.
Oh ... You posted a bunch of unvetted AI slop ... It’s not helping your cause.
Baloney.
You found it. Took a while.
Again, these are NOT U.S. ships.
You're welcome to sign up for them though.
It got "BTT".
It's as garbageous as I expected from you ... At least you had the common decency to openly identify it as AI Slop up front. You get a little credit for that.
The Trump administration said on Friday it will provide up to $20 billion reinsurance coverage for oil tankers and other commercial ships in the Persian Gulf region.
But the program’s capacity might not be enough to cover the potential risk for the region’s logistics operators.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, created to support the government’s overseas development investments, will be deployed for the reinsurance program, which would create a federal backstop for private insurers in the region.
The DFC said it expects the program, which includes war risk, to “restore confidence in maritime trade” and “help stabilize international commerce” during the war.
> Let the owners staff their ships - not us. <
Right you are. The owners want to take the cheap and easy way out: fly flags of convenience instead of the American flag.
Sort of like deciding not to buy homeowner’s insurance. Well, okay. Your choice. But there are consequences if things go bad.
Authority of USN and USCG Officers to Command Vessels
Under U.S. law, a U.S. Navy (USN) officer or a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officer can take command of a vessel only if the vessel’s owner or the relevant authority has granted permission. This is a matter of both statutory and operational law.
So is it the crews holding back or the rich owners thinking “if we hold up these shipments we will make even more money selling oil we will sell when the conflict is over”?
CORRECT HEADLINE:
INSURERS REFUSING TO INSURE SHIPS IN STRAIGHT OF HOMUZ
NO INSURANCE-—NO PAYOUT WHEN SHIP/CONTENTS ARE LOST
THE MEDIA LIES MORE & MORE
Honestly who can blame them, I would be terrified going through there
The Trump administration said on Friday it will provide up to $20 billion reinsurance coverage for oil tankers and other commercial ships in the Persian Gulf region.
Yep. It's insurance, plain and simple.
create a federal backstop for private insurers
IOW, We the Taxpayers are on the hook. Better deploy some frigates for convoy duty. Like we did last time. We need to cover our risk.
Oh. Wait.
We DON'T HAVE ANY FRIGATES!!!!
Thanks, 0bama, you worthless piece of camel dung!
BTW, you're quoting people. Got any sources? Or is this more AI Slop?
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