The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has urged the government to intervene after alleging that the crew of Marshall Islands-flagged AM Pioneer was pressured to enter the high-risk waterway
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has raised an urgent safety concern over 16 Indian crew members aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel AM Pioneer, alleging that the ship’s owners and managers are pressuring them to sail through the high-risk Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, the maritime union said the crew had clearly refused to enter the area because of the risks posed by the ongoing regional conflict. The union accused the vessel’s operators of putting commercial considerations ahead of the safety of the seafarers.
“Forcing Seafarers to strait of Death,” the FSUI wrote. “#Shipowners and managers of Marshall Islands-flagged vessel AM Pioneer are pressuring the Master to force its 16 Indian crew to transit the high-risk Strait of Hormuz. The crew has clearly refused. They will not put their lives in danger.”
The union also said the crew would not sail under dark conditions with communications switched off, and called for their immediate repatriation with full wages and dues.
Captain appeals for help
The dispute gained further attention after a video message from Captain Anil Raj, the Master of AM Pioneer, was shared on social media.
In the SOS appeal, Raj said the vessel had arrived at Ras Al Khaimah Port in the United Arab Emirates for a routine survey. The crew was subsequently instructed to proceed through the Strait of Hormuz.
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According to the captain, all 16 Indian crew members refused to undertake the voyage because they believed doing so would expose them to serious safety risks.
The captain’s appeal comes amid heightened tensions in and around the Persian Gulf, where commercial vessels face increased security concerns because of military activity and disruptions to maritime traffic.
Concerns over Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes and a major passage for global energy supplies. Any escalation in the region can have significant consequences for commercial vessels travelling through the waterway.
The FSUI said the situation involving AM Pioneer highlights the risks faced by seafarers operating in conflict-affected waters. It has urged Indian authorities to intervene and ensure that the crew is not compelled to enter an area they consider unsafe.
The union has called on the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Directorate General of Shipping to take immediate action to protect the 16 Indian nationals.
FSUI is also seeking the crew’s repatriation with their full wages and other contractual dues, stressing that seafarer safety must take precedence over commercial considerations.