Commemorative days are established with grand goals. However, recent experiences show they are becoming mere days of remembrance. The last Thursday of September is celebrated as World Maritime Day to remind us annually about the safety of the sea and shipping sectors.
This year’s Maritime Day arrives amidst the shocking reality that around 80 ships have been attacked and 22 crew members killed. These figures relate only to the Hormuz crisis, ongoing since 28 February. While the International Maritime Organization states that around 400 ships are stuck in the Gulf unable to cross Hormuz, others cite much higher numbers. Kpler, a major tracking site, reports 2,190 ships are there. Across all these vessels, approximately 20,000 seafarers are living almost like prisoners.
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