Statement of the Eritrean Seaman Union on Maritime Security and Seafarer Protection in the Gulf and Red Sea in International Shipping News 13/03/2026 The Board of Directors of the Eritrean Seaman Union expresses its sincere sympathy to the people of the Gulf region and extends its wishes for peace and stability amid the current tensions. The recent unpredictable incidents across Gulf waters have created danger and uncertainty, and our thoughts are with all those affected. At present, thousands of international seafarers, including Eritrean nationals, remain in the Arabian Gulf under hazardous conditions. Offshore crews face a double burden: they operate in fixed industrial areas and cannot easily relocate, making them more exposed than vessels able to reroute. Port closures and operational restrictions have made normal crew rotations nearly impossible, leaving many crews isolated and under increasing pressure. The Eritrean Seaman Union is particularly concerned that prolonged insecurity in the Gulf could impact the already tense Red Sea region and the interests of landlocked countries, further compounding strategic risks while intensifying underlying geopolitical pressures. More than 300 ships are stranded. Image from the Internet Archive. Instability around major maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz, may extend to neighboring corridors, including the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, among the world’s most sensitive and critical shipping routes. In a context where access to key sea lines is already a matter of competing claims and strategic interests, further escalation could exacerbate these pressures, creating additional challenges for maritime security, disrupting global supply chains, and increasing the vulnerability of seafarers, coastal communities, and marine environments. These developments underscore the urgent need for coordinated international action to prevent escalation and ensure safe navigation for all. Offshore supply support vessels are more vulnerable. Source: Internet Archive The Eritrean Seaman Union therefore calls on responsible authorities, vessel operators, and international organizations to: • Ensure the safety and protection of seafarers, including safe crew rotations and evacuation where necessary. • Safeguard maritime navigation and shipping routes in accordance with international maritime law. • Maintain proactive measures to prevent escalation in high-risk maritime zones. Ensuring the safety of seafarers is fundamental to maintaining stable and secure maritime operations worldwide. The Board of Directors will continue to closely monitor developments and advocate for the safety, rights, and welfare of Eritrean seafarers, as well as their international colleagues working in the Gulf and Red Sea regions. The Eritrean Seaman Union remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with international maritime organizations and relevant authorities to uphold the safety, dignity, and protection of all seafarers operating in international waters. Source: Eritrean Seaman Union 2026-03-13 hellenicshippingnews... window.___gcfg = {lang: 'en-US'}; (function(w, d, s) { function go(){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], load = function(url, id) { if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.src = url; js.id = id; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }; load('//connect.facebook.net/en/all.js#xfbml=1', 'fbjssdk'); load('https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js', 'gplus1js'); load