Hong Kong Shipowners Association Estimates 80 Vessels Stranded in Strait of Hormuz Amid Ongoing Conflict

A Hong Kong shipping industry body has estimated that as many as 80 of its ships and 1,600 seafarers are stuck in or near the Strait of Hormuz, with the sector forced to contend with more than five months of on-and-off conflict in the Middle East.

Richard Hext, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, shared the figures on Tuesday as the industry group revealed its recommendations for the city’s first five-year plan and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s coming policy address. He also said that while 20 to 30 association-linked vessels were able to leave the region safely during the short-lived ceasefire in June, dozens of ships carrying more than 1,000 seafarers remained stuck in the strait.

“So, our current working estimate is that there are roughly 70 to 80 Hong Kong Shipowners Association member ships, with around 1,400 to 1,600 seafarers on board remaining in or near the conflict zone,” he told a press conference.

Another industry representative, Kenneth Lam Sze-kin, deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, said on Wednesday that the roughly 1,600 crew members would remain safe on ships owned by Hong Kong companies as long as shipowners were willing to pay for supplies and electricity on board. Lam, who is also founder and CEO of SeaKapital Limited, said around 70 to 80 vessels owned by members of the association remained stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, mainly in the northern part of the waterway, and that the vessels would try to keep clear of Iran, which borders the northern coast.

“For personal safety, the threat is small. In situations like this, as long as you are willing to spend, supplies shouldn’t be a problem,” Lam said on a radio programme. “But they are affected mentally and physically, because they cannot disembark and may worry about their safety.”

To his knowledge, there were no Hongkongers among the crew, who are mostly mainland Chinese, Filipinos, Indians and Eastern Europeans. “From the point of view of Hong Kong shipowners, it does not matter whether they are Hongkongers or not. Whatever their nationality, they are crew members on our ships and we will treat them all equally,” Lam said.

The United States-Israel war against Iran has sparked a global shipping crisis and disrupted supply chains as passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely cut off. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations and failed attempts at ceasefires, vessels continue to face challenges sailing along the narrow waterway, with some even coming under attack.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he wanted to give the Iranians “every last chance before decapitation” while Tehran has denied that any negotiations were taking place.

Key Claims

  • The Hong Kong Shipowners Association estimates that 70 to 80 of its member ships, carrying around 1,400 to 1,600 seafarers, remain stranded in or near the Strait of Hormuz, according to chairman Richard Hext.
  • Between 20 and 30 association-linked vessels were able to leave the region during the June ceasefire, but dozens of ships remain stuck.
  • Crew members have enough supplies and access to video counselling, though they face mental and physical strain due to being unable to disembark, as stated by deputy chairman Kenneth Lam.
  • No Hongkongers are among the crew; the seafarers are mostly mainland Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, and Eastern Europeans.
  • The US-Israel war against Iran has led to a global shipping crisis, with passage through the Strait of Hormuz largely cut off.
  • US President Donald Trump has threatened “decapitation” against Iran, while Tehran denies any negotiations are taking place.