Crews and insurers reluctant to gamble in Gulf standoff
THE vast majority of vessels stuck in the Middle East Gulf because of the threats of Iranian attack are not moving and suggestions of ships slipping out of the Hormuz Strait may be exaggerated, according to companies with tonnage in the region.
“Nobody is moving,” said one Greece-based company executive on conditions of anonymity.
“We do not have insurance and we do not have the agreement of crews,” the executive told Lloyd’s List.
Among others, this is understood to be the plight of seven tankers belonging to George Prokopiou-led Dynacom Tankers, one of the largest contingents of vessels belonging to a single owner that has been trapped by the hostilities.
The company made headlines earlier this month by sending several vessels into the MEG following the outbreak of war.
Since then, though, shipping has been subjected to several attacks from Iranian rockets and drones, killing at least 11 seafarers.
Crews would normally be offered bonuses for transiting a war zone and this has been the practice in the current crisis, but the danger level is now considered too high by most seafarers.
“There’s no question of bravery here,” said one source, in an apparent reference to US President Donald Trump’s exhortation for shipowners to “show guts”.
According to the shipping source: “If they say you can go, you go,” he said in reference to Iranian control of the entrance to the Middle East Gulf. “If they say no, you don’t go. It’s as simple as that.”
Shipowners are comparing notes on what is happening and do not see any blanket exemptions being given according to a vessel’s nationality.
“We keep hearing about Indian or Chinese vessels being allowed to pass through but they [the Iranians] are only allowing ships through on a case-by-case basis,” said the source.
A captain and crew of one of the Dynacom tankers is said to have made an attempt to exit the waterway in recent days but turned back after being challenged by Iranian forces.
One company said it is still trying to negotiate insurance with underwriters but so far had been unable to obtain cover to pass through the strait.
Greece has said that it will not become involved in military operations in the strait.
Shipping minister Vasilis Kikilias put the safety of crews at the top of the country’s concerns.
“Above all, we are concerned with the safety of our seafarers, and then the safety of our fleet,” he told Greek television.
Asked about repatriating Greek crews from the Middle East Gulf, Kikilias said that there were procedures in place but at present no request from the crews.
“I see calm, I see professionalism. But there is also intense concern,” he said.
“The days are passing, and not only is there no de-escalation, but attacks are beginning on energy and oil infrastructure in the region.”
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