Stena Bulk has withdrawn its last remaining crew members from its sole vessel operating in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a complete exit of Swedish personnel from the contested waterway.
The Gothenburg-based dry bulk carrier confirmed that while the ship remains in the region, it is now operating under a charter arrangement with third-party crews, eliminating direct exposure for its own employees.
Erik Hånell, CEO of Stena Bulk, stated that the company retains operational exposure in the strait but has shifted to a model where the vessel is rented out without Stena’s own seafarers on board.
This move underscores the intensifying safety concerns for shipping companies navigating the chokepoint, which handles a significant portion of global oil flows.
The decision by Stena Bulk aligns with a broader exodus from the region.
The International Maritime Organization has confirmed that approximately 115 vessels and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday, signaling a rapid acceleration in the crisis.