Union agrees Strait of Hormuz temporary high-risk zone

2 August 2019

Strait of Hormuz: The agreement applies to all vessels entered into the UK Chamber and the clauses are invoked if flag state and industry guidance is not complied with.

The Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) has agreed to temporarily designate the Strait of Hormuz as a High-Risk Area from August 2, following government advice to avoid the area unless accompanied by UK naval support.

The committee, comprised of Trade Unions Nautilus International and RMT, and the UK

Chamber of Shipping, met for an extraordinary meeting on July 29. The temporary agreement applies to all vessels entered into the UK Chamber and the clauses are invoked if flag state and industry guidance is not complied with.

That includes UK flagged vessels that refuse a military accompanied transit and vessels that do not take account of relevant guidance from industry bodies such as OCIMF, INTERTANKO,

BIMCO and ICS.

The agreement gives seafarers the right to refuse to work onboard vessels transiting the Strait

of Hormuz. Crew can request to leave the ship at a preceding port, for example.

Seafarers on vessels transiting the area could also receive double basic pay from August 2, in

recognition of the higher risks associated with transiting and operating in the zone.