The expected reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is easing concerns over global oil supplies and maritime trade. Yet for thousands of sailors caught in the US-Iran conflict, including many Indians, the end of the crisis at sea is proving far more complicated than the resumption of shipping traffic, says a South China Morning Post report.
While commercial vessels may soon begin moving through one of the world's most critical energy corridors, seafarers who spent weeks stranded in a war zone say the psychological scars of the conflict could endure long after the missiles stop flying.
Among them is Captain Raman Kapoor, an Indian tanker captain who was loading oil at an Iraqi port when hostilities between the US and Iran escalated. Within hours, his vessel and 24 crew members found themselves trapped north of the Strait of Hormuz as missiles and drones crossed the skies above them.
"We were stuck inside the war zone and everyone was scared and confused," Kapoor recalled. "We felt completely helpless." The crew remained stranded for 75 days.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world's traded oil and gas passed before the conflict, is expected to partially reopen under a 60-day US-Iran understanding. The move has raised hopes of restoring normal shipping operations, but uncertainty remains over crew changes, vessel safety and the durability of the ceasefire arrangement.
Kapoor said maintaining morale became one of his biggest challenges. He organised daily meetings, encouraged crew members to eat together and tried to create a sense of normalcy by celebrating birthdays and playing games. Despite these efforts, many sailors struggled with anxiety and emotional stress.
"Mental health became a major issue," he said. "Some crew members found it difficult to concentrate on their work."
Although Kapoor returned home to Himachal Pradesh in May, many of his crew members remain aboard the vessel awaiting replacements.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), around 20,000 seafarers, port workers and offshore personnel have been affected by the conflict.
The UN agency has recorded 46 attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz since hostilities began, resulting in 14 deaths.
The latest fatalities occurred on June 10 when the tanker MT Settebello was struck by US forces off the coast of Oman. Three Indian crew members lost their lives after the vessel was accused of violating an American blockade on Iranian oil exports.
One of the victims came from a village near Kapoor's hometown. "I spoke to his family. They are devastated," he said.
Shipping executives warn that the human cost of such conflicts could worsen an already serious shortage of qualified maritime professionals.
Captain Cheah Sin Bi, chief executive of Malaysian tanker operator Orkim, said merchant sailors are civilians who are increasingly being exposed to military risks without adequate preparation.
"They are not trained for warfare, yet they operate in areas filled with warships, missiles and military threats," he said.
Clinical psychologists note that prolonged exposure to uncertainty and danger can trigger anxiety, sleep disorders and emotional exhaustion. The International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network has reported a 15-20 percent increase in distress calls since the conflict began.
Industry studies already point to a shortage of qualified officers, including captains and chief engineers. Maritime organisations had projected a global shortfall of nearly 90,000 officers by this year.
Experts warn that repeated conflicts in major shipping lanes could discourage young people from pursuing careers at sea, worsening recruitment challenges for the industry.
For Kapoor, who has spent nearly three decades sailing across the world's oceans, returning home this time felt different.
"My family and friends were extremely worried," he said. "Coming home this time brought a different kind of happiness."
As global trade prepares for a return to normality in the Gulf, many sailors are still coping with the emotional aftermath of a war they never chose to be part of.