Stena Bulk has removed its last crew members from its sole vessel operating in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a complete withdrawal of Swedish personnel from the volatile waterway.
The Gothenburg-based dry bulk carrier has transitioned the ship to a bareboat charter arrangement, meaning the vessel remains in the strait but is now operated by a third-party crew rather than Stena’s own employees.
CEO Erik Hånell confirmed the move, stating that while the company retains exposure in the corridor, it has eliminated direct personnel risk by hiring out the ship without its own staff.
This decision underscores the severity of the current security environment, where even established operators are unwilling to maintain direct operational control in the region.
The move by Stena Bulk coincides with a broader exodus from the chokepoint.
The International Maritime Organization has confirmed that approximately 115 vessels and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday.