Seafarers Stuck For Weeks Off Yemen Prepare To Leave After Ceasefire Deal

Around 200 seafarers stranded for weeks on more than 15 vessels off Yemen’s Ras Issa port are finally preparing to unload their cargo and sail out, after a ceasefire agreement between the United States and the Houthi group, according to maritime and labour union sources.

The ships, mostly tankers carrying fuel supplies like liquefied petroleum gas- have been stuck near Ras Issa in western Yemen’s Al Hudaidah Governorate, caught in the middle of airstrikes and rebel activity since the conflict escalated in late 2023.

A ship tracking platform confirmed that at least one of these vessels started moving into the port on Thursday to begin unloading.

Despite this progress, maritime officials said threat levels in the Red Sea remain high. The Houthis have stated that Israeli-linked assets will still be targeted, which raises concerns about the safety of vessels passing through the region.

Past incidents have shown that even ships with no ties to Israel have come under attack, leaving no guarantee of safe passage.

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would stop its bombing campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis. In return, the group agreed to halt attacks on US ships in the Red Sea, a critical shipping lane for global trade.

However, Houthi representatives clarified a day later that the ceasefire did not include Israel or its allies. They said their operations in support of Palestinians in Gaza would continue.

The US-led air campaign, which began nearly two months ago, caused major damage to infrastructure in the Ras Issa region, affecting port operations and putting ship crews at risk.

Video Credits: The Sudan Times/YouTube

According to reports, several crew members sustained injuries from nearby airstrikes, and the Houthis prevented at least two vessels from leaving.

Houthi officials told news agencies that the new agreement with Washington would now allow ships to safely enter Ras Issa, unload their goods, and leave without obstruction. While some vessels have started approaching the port, industry leaders and seafarers remain cautious.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a branch of the UK Navy, said it had received reports of vessels being denied departure and even boarded by armed personnel. There were also cases of orders being issued under threats, with at least one incident involving warning shots.

In a recent statement, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the world’s largest seafarers’ union, confirmed that they are in direct contact with about 15 ship crews still stuck at Ras Issa.

Many crew members said they haven’t been allowed to leave or be evacuated despite the ceasefire. The ITF’s General Secretary Stephen Cotton stated that while support is underway, the stranded sailors “need more than words; they need a safe passage home.”

Crew members have also reported emotional distress and contract issues. In an email share with the media by the ITF, one seafarer stated that their employment contracts had expired months ago, and that their families are increasingly worried.

The Bloomberg agency reported that more than a dozen ships are still anchored near Ras Issa. Some of the crews have waited for weeks to offload cargo and leave.

A senior officer on one of the oil tankers said that even after the ceasefire announcement, they were uncertain if they could safely unload and depart.

Though recent airstrikes have stopped, Israeli jets carried out strikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah port in response to Houthi drones fired at Israel last week.

Shipping companies, including Wallenius Wilhelmsen, stated they would not resume voyages through the Red Sea unless full safety could be assured. Its CEO Lasse Kristoffersen said that at present, they have no clear evidence that the region is secure enough for crews to travel safely.

The Houthis have carried out over 100 attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023. Two ships were sunk, one was seized, and at least four seafarers were killed during this period.

Although no known attacks have taken place since January, the uncertainty around the ceasefire’s effectiveness continues to affect global shipping routes.

References: Reuters, Bloomberg

Source: Maritime Shipping News