Tanker crews offered high bonuses to navigate the Strait of Hormuz amid rising attacks
Shipowners are paying substantially higher wages and bonuses to seafarers willing to cross the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian missile and drone strikes increase.
Amid a surge in Iranian missile and drone attacks on oil tankers, shipowners are boosting compensation for crews willing to transit the Strait of Hormuz, offering danger bonuses that dwarf regular pay—sailors can receive four to six times their $1,500 monthly salary and captains see a comparable increase from $15,000. Union officials say some workers are being coerced, with threats of replacement and deductions for repatriation costs.
The perilous environment has pushed most vessels to travel at night and switch off GPS signalling, while the U.S. Navy has deployed defensive air assets near the Omani coast. Since late February, at least 93 ships have been struck and 24 seafarers killed, according to International Maritime Organization data. Insurance premiums for war risk now run at 6%-10% of hull value, and fuel costs at Fujairah have risen 67% year-on-year, further inflating voyage expenses.
Why it matters
Higher crew pay reflects the growing danger to global oil shipments and could affect energy prices worldwide.
How this story developed
- Sep 14 US claims Hormuz traffic improving as oil prices surge amid regional attacks
- Sep 21 Fire on the tanker was extinguished after the projectile strike.
- Sep 23 A cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile, igniting a fire and forcing crew evacuation.
- Sep 24 Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf producers have rerouted oil through spare pipeline capacity and a U.S.-protected corridor, keeping global supply steady despite higher prices.
- Sep 29 Brent crude rose about 4% to just over $107 a barrel after Donald Trump’s contradictory statements and the US announced the final withdrawal of its forces from Iraq.
- Oct 2 The administration emphasized managing public expectations about a rapid settlement with Iran.
- Oct 3 A second tanker was hit east of Oman, adding to the earlier incident in the strait.
- Oct 5 The G7 announced a release of diesel and crude from emergency reserves.
- Oct 5 A U.S. naval blockade has caused a backlog of hundreds of trucks at the Gürbulak crossing, with waits up to five days.
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