Thousands of sailors are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. After months of waiting, they are struggling with uncertainty and a lack of supplies.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ – Approximately 20,000 sailors remain trapped on ships in the Strait of Hormuz area, several months after the conflict erupted between Iran and US-Israeli forces. One of the world's most important trade routes has become a place of long waiting, uncertainty, and growing concerns about the safety of the crews.

According to available information, approximately 1,600 commercial ships are still located in the waters around the strategic strait. Although the fighting has subsided and the situation has partially stabilized, the return to normal operations is slow, and thousands of sailors remain far from their homes. "It's very strange that everything looks completely normal from the outside. Inside, people are not calm at all. Stress is constantly present in our minds. Everyone is simply exhausted, both physically and mentally," described Pakistani captain Hassan Khan to the BBC, whose ship remains blocked in the area.

Many crew members compare their situation to being imprisoned. "It's like we're stuck in some kind of pond," said one of the sailors. While life is gradually returning to normal on land, on board the ships, days turn into weeks, and weeks into months. The biggest problems now are psychological fatigue, uncertainty, and ensuring basic needs. With the arrival of summer heat, the demands for drinking water, food, and medical supplies are increasing. Some ships have had to resort to strict rationing to last longer without the possibility of replenishment.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime routes in the world. A significant portion of the world's oil and natural gas supplies flows through the narrow corridor between Iran and Oman. Any disruption to operations therefore affects not only the regional economy, but also global energy markets. Despite the difficult situation, the crews are trying to maintain normal working routines. Regular maintenance of the ships, safety checks, and daily duties help the sailors cope with the psychological pressure and maintain a sense of normalcy in extraordinary conditions.

Experts warn that the prolonged detention of ships may have serious humanitarian consequences in addition to the economic impacts. Increasing stress, isolation, and uncertainty about the future situation pose a significant burden on thousands of sailors. It is not yet clear when operations in the area will fully resume. For thousands of men and women on board commercial ships, the biggest question remains: when will they finally be able to return home.