Shipowners are offering exceptionally large bonuses to persuade seafarers to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, as security risks continue to rise. One company, Sinokor Group, offered crews an extra six months’ salary for completing a round-trip voyage through the strait, reflecting the danger posed by recent attacks on commercial vessels.
Since the conflict escalated, dozens of merchant ships have been attacked, and multiple seafarers have been killed, leading many crew members to refuse assignments despite the financial incentives. At the same time, shipowners continue to send tankers through Hormuz because the route remains vital for transporting Middle Eastern oil and can generate millions of dollars in revenue. Bloomberg highlights the difficult balance between maintaining global energy supplies and protecting the safety of maritime workers.
