Gulf Crisis 2026: Are Indian Seafarers Getting Their War Risk Allowance?

The Persian Gulf is currently classified as a high-risk zone. Ships are being attacked. Indian seafarers are in the middle of it.

The question that most seafarers do not ask loudly enough: Am I being compensated for this additional risk?

What War Risk Allowance Is

War risk allowances are additional pay provisions in a seafarer’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) — the contract between the shipping company or shipowner association and the seafarers’ union.

When a vessel transits through an area designated as a war risk zone — like the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea in the current crisis — the CBA triggers additional compensation obligations for the employer.

The exact amount varies by CBA. ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) affiliated CBAs typically have explicit war risk zones and the corresponding allowance rates.

Why Many Seafarers Do Not Receive It

Companies do not proactively offer war risk pay. The calculation and claiming process is often left to the seafarer to initiate.

Common reasons seafarers miss out:

• They do not know the allowance exists in their CBA
• They do not document their transit through the war risk zone properly
• They are reluctant to raise the issue with senior officers or the company
• They trust the company to “do the right thing” automatically

The last assumption is the most dangerous one.

What to Do Right Now

Step 1: Get your CBA. You are entitled to a copy of your Collective Bargaining Agreement. If you do not have it, request it formally from your company’s crew manager. If they refuse, that itself is a violation.

Step 2: Identify the war risk provisions. Look for clauses covering “war risk zones,” “bonus pay for high-risk operations,” or “additional compensation for designated areas.” ITF-affiliated CBAs list specific geographic zones.

Step 3: Document your transit. Note the dates and approximate coordinates of when your vessel transited through or operated in the high-risk zone. This information exists in the vessel’s log — if you are not on watch, ask a watchkeeping officer to note it or check the official log.

Step 4: Submit a formal claim. Write a written claim to your company’s crew department referencing your CBA provision, the dates of your transit, and the amount you are owed. Keep a copy.

Step 5: Escalate if needed. If the company ignores or rejects your legitimate claim:

• Contact NUSI (National Union of Seafarers of India) if you are a member
• Contact ITF through their global network
• File a grievance with DGS at 9004048406 or support.dgs@gov.in

The Bigger Picture

Three Indian seafarers died in this crisis as of March 2, 2026. Dozens more are operating in zones where drone and missile attacks on merchant vessels have been confirmed.

Being paid what you are contractually owed is not a favour. It is a right.

The maritime industry runs on trust — seafarers trust that when they accept a voyage into dangerous waters, the people who benefit from that cargo delivery will honour their obligations. When that trust is broken, it damages the entire system.

Know your CBA. Know your rights. Do not let the crisis that endangers your life also be the one that shortchanges your pay.