80 HK ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz for 5 months
1,600 crew stuck at sea with video counselling and supplies — but no end in sight
About 80 Hong Kong-owned commercial vessels carrying roughly 1,600 crew members remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after five months, caught in a geopolitical standoff that shows no signs of resolution. Kenneth Lam Sze-kin, deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and founder/CEO of SeaKapital, confirmed that while personal safety risks are minimal, the prolonged situation is taking a heavy toll on the crews’ mental and physical health.
The stranded fleet, mainly positioned in the northern Strait of Hormuz to avoid Iranian waters, continues to receive essential supplies and access to video-based psychological counselling. Lam emphasized that operational safety is maintained as long as shipowners sustain funding for provisions and onboard power. Crews are primarily from mainland China, the Philippines, India, and Eastern Europe, with no Hongkongers currently onboard these specific ships. Despite nationality, Lam assured equal treatment, framing the issue as a duty of care to all crew aboard Hong Kong-owned vessels.
- 80 Hong Kong-owned ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz for 5 months with 1,600 crew members
- Crews receive supplies and video counselling; minimal immediate safety risk but severe mental and physical strain due to prolonged confinement
- Crew nationalities include mainland China, Philippines, India, and Eastern Europe; shipowners commit to equal treatment regardless of nationality
Why It Matters
Prolonged maritime stand-offs expose supply chain vulnerabilities and highlight urgent need for crew welfare protocols in high-risk zones.