The International Transport Workers’ Federation has announced that the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf have been designated as a Warlike Operations Area (WOA) following a review by the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC).
This reflects the ongoing and heightened threat to seafarers and vessels operating in the region.
With hundreds of vessels stranded in the Gulf following the suspension of vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz, the scale of disruption and risk facing civilian crews is amplified.
The WOA designation ensures that seafarers on IBF-covered vessels receive enhanced protection and compensation if they are stranded or operating in the area.
Those already within the designated area are entitled to additional compensation and to request repatriation, noting the current, significant operational difficulties, while those instructed to enter it have the right to refuse to sail and request repatriation at the company’s expense.
Seafarers are also entitled to a bonus equal to 100% of their basic wage, payable for a minimum of five days, and for each additional day a vessel remains in the area.
They will, in addition, receive doubled compensation for death and disability arising from incidents in the area.
They have the right to refuse to sail into the area, with repatriation at the company’s cost and compensation equal to two months’ basic wage.
At present, the closure of international airspace across the majority of the region is severely constraining repatriation options for those seeking to leave vessels.
The WOAC will review the WOA designation weekly.
