Strait of Hormuz blockade: Sailors stressed and exhausted after being trapped for months

Even without the danger posed by the missiles and mines, the 1,600 ships that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) estimates to be stuck on the wrong side of the Strait of Hormuz are unable to leave. Days after the war began, Iran shut the narrow waterway – the only way out of the Gulf – and refused to let anyone through without its express permission.

“It is as if we are trapped in a pond. There’s only one way out, and that’s Hormuz,” explains the captain of another vessel, Shafiqul Islam.

Islam, whose Bangladesh-owned ship the Banglar Joyjatra is carrying about 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser bound for South Africa, has twice tried to leave in the months since.

Both attempts have ended in failure.

After the announcement of a ceasefire on 8 April, Islam caught wind that another ship had been given permission by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to cross. He then steered his ship towards the critical waterway along with four other vessels. Shortly after, they were warned not to proceed.

Nine days later, Islam tried again as Iran said the strait would be “completely open” for all commercial vessels in line with the ceasefire. But Iran quickly reversed the decision after the US kept the blockade of its ports in place.

By then, Islam’s ship had already come within 30 nautical miles of the strait. He had no choice but to turn it away as warnings of attacks continued to crackle over the radio.