Double pay and sailing refusal rights extended as security risks persist.

Shipping Groups Keep Hormuz Classified as War Zone Amid Fragile Truce.

Shipping employers and unions have agreed to continue designating the Strait of Hormuz as a warlike operations area until at least July 9, despite a fragile truce in the region. The decision, announced jointly by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), ensures double pay and repatriation rights for seafarers operating in the area. The status applies to around 15,000 vessels whose operators are signatories to International Bargaining Forum labour agreements. Seafarers also retain the right to refuse sailing into the strait, raising operating costs for shipping companies. The extension follows recent vessel attacks after a US–Iran memorandum of understanding, highlighting ongoing risks. Since March, at least 14 seafarers have been killed and over 40 ships attacked. Owing to renewed strikes, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has suspended evacuation plans for thousands of stranded crew. Weekly risk review meetings will now resume as tensions remain volatile.