Around 100 Hong Kong-registered vessels are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Richard Hext, Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, revealed that approximately 100 ships registered in Hong Kong and owned or managed by Hong Kong companies are trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving around 2,300 seafarers stranded at sea.
Hext said: "We're talking about 100 ships; considering each ship has roughly 23 crew members, this means 2,300 seafarers are stuck at sea." He added, "If a vessel is trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, attempting to rescue it carries extremely high risks, as there is a strong likelihood of gunfire attacks."
He emphasized that the top priority for the shipping industry right now is providing food, drinking water, and emotional support to the crew. "Although very few vessels have been damaged, the psychological stress experienced by seafarers—whether they witness such attacks firsthand or read news about U.S.-Iran hostilities—is immense," Hext said.
On May 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated during a press conference that the Strait of Hormuz is an international navigation strait. China expressed deep concern over the large number of ships and seafarers affected by ongoing conflicts and trapped in the strait, emphasizing that restoring the strait’s navigational freedom as soon as possible and ensuring the safety of civilian vessels and crew members aligns with the common interests of regional countries and the international community.
Source: sputniknews
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864770047206412/
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