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A vessel is seen navigating through the Strait of Hormuz from Musandam, Oman, on June 29, 2026. — Reuters/File
Unions and shipping firms announced on Wednesday their decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz classified as a warzone area, following two attacks on ships despite a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
“This move acknowledges the ongoing and serious threat to life, along with the rapidly changing circumstances in the region,” stated a joint release from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), a coalition representing shipowners.
A source involved in the discussions told AFP that if the ships hadn’t been targeted on two separate days since last Thursday and if maritime access had remained smooth, a change in designation might have taken place this week.
The designation will now remain in effect until at least July 9, with weekly reviews planned, the statement added.
The Strait of Hormuz was first declared a war operational zone on March 5 after ships attempting to traverse this crucial energy corridor came under attack.
This status applies to vessels whose owners are part of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) labor agreements—amounting to approximately 15,000 ships worldwide, according to the IBF.
Mariners on these ships are entitled to double pay, which increases operational costs for shipping companies, among other advantages.
Since March 1, when Iran responded to US and Israeli strikes by closing the vital waterway, merchant ships have been significantly impacted by the regional conflict.
During this period, at least 14 crew members have lost their lives, and more than 40 ships have been targeted.
The most recent attacks occurred last Thursday and Saturday, prompting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to suspend an emergency plan to evacuate the 11,000 mariners still stranded in the Gulf.
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