The Norwegian Seafarers’ Union has alerted maritime workers that the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has officially designated the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters as a High Risk Area.
The decision comes after a sharp escalation in military tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as instability continues to spread across the wider Middle East region.
According to the ITF announcement cited by the Norwegian Seafarers’ Union, the designation now applies to the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman, areas that serve as one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
What the High Risk Area designation means for seafarers
Under agreements negotiated through the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), seafarers sailing through these waters may be entitled to additional protections and compensation.
These rights include:
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A bonus equal to the seafarer’s basic wage for the actual time spent transiting or staying in the high-risk area
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Double compensation in cases of death or disability
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The right to refuse sailing in the designated high-risk zone without retaliation
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Repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation equal to two months of basic wages if the seafarer refuses to sail
- Recommendations for increased security measures onboard ships, similar to ISPS Level security arrangements
The Norwegian Seafarers’ Union is advising crew members to review their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) or contact onboard HR departments to determine whether they are eligible for these protections.
Global maritime labor cooperation
The ITF represents more than 16.5 million transport workers worldwide through over 730 affiliated unions in more than 150 countries, making it one of the largest labor organizations in the global transport sector.
Negotiations affecting seafarers’ working conditions and pay are coordinated through the IBF, which brings together the ITF and maritime employers represented by the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG). The JNG includes major employer bodies such as the International Maritime Employers’ Council, the International Mariners Management Association of Japan, the Korean Shipowners Association, and Evergreen Marine Corporation.
Maritime unions say the new High Risk Area designation reflects the rapidly evolving security situation in the region and is intended to ensure that seafarers receive additional protection and compensation when sailing through potentially dangerous waters.
Photo credit: ITF
