Statement Regarding Seafarers Stranded and Under Threat in the Strait of Hormuz

The Rev. Mark Nestlehutt
President & Executive Director, The Seamen’s Church Institute

The escalating conflict in the Middle East has placed seafarers in an increasingly dangerous and untenable position. Vessels that once planned to transit the Strait of Hormuz are now stranded and under threat of attack—creating a serious humanitarian concern for the men and women who keep global trade moving. And conditions, unfortunately, appear unlikely to change any time soon.

We stand with our partner organizations in underscoring that merchant mariners are not participants in this conflict. In fact, they are essential workers. Yet they are also currently bearing the consequences of geopolitical tensions, facing not only external threats but also growing uncertainty on board.

To be stranded at sea—unable to safely reach port, resupply provisions, or access potable water—is an extraordinary hardship. Crews may remain in the same location for extended periods, with limited resources, no clear timeline for relief, and, in some cases, no reliable communication with loved ones. These are not abstract risks—they are lived realities that place significant physical and mental strain on seafarers.

SCI is closely monitoring the situation alongside our seafarer welfare organization partners. Through our Center for Mariner Advocacy, guided by Director Phil Schifflin, Esq., we are tracking developments across the IMO, ILO, and the broader maritime community. We stand ready to lend our voice and efforts in support of seafarers wherever and whenever needed. We will not forget the human element at the center of this crisis.

We join the calls for clear, coordinated action from the shipping industry, governments, and international bodies. Seafarers must be protected from risks beyond the scope of their work, supported through meaningful safeguards, and, to the best of our ability, removed from conflict zones. They did not choose to enter this situation and should not be left to face it alone.

As is our mission, SCI stands with seafarers and joins the global maritime community in reaffirming a shared commitment: the safety and welfare of those stranded in the Strait of Hormuz must remain our highest priority.

Mark Nestlehutt’s remarks featured in RIVIERA: Middle East conflict puts seafarers in the crosshairs