Costas Rassias, who was sailing in the Red Sea when a missile from Yemen's Houthi islamists fell near his vessel, vowed not to continue.

The Greek marine engineer of 34 years described the close call by saying, "I froze." "I weighed the importance of my life versus a higher income."

According to more than 15 ship crews and shipping industry officials interviewed, seafarers who have been traumatised by repeated attacks by Iran-backed Houthis are refusing the Red Sea.

This is another problem for an industry that already faces a shortage of mariners worldwide. The ranks have shrunk since COVID kept crews on board for several months, and the conflict in Ukraine created dangers in Black Sea.

A source familiar with the crisis stated that "seafarers have become less willing to sail through this region, and it has now become a greater challenge."

In November, the Houthis launched their first drone and missile attacks in the main waterway. They claim to be in solidarity with Palestinian militants based in Gaza. In more than 70 attacks, the Houthis have sunk a vessel, captured another, and killed at least 3 seafarers.

Analysis by logistics platform project44 shows that container ship sailings in the Red Sea fell 78% from a year earlier, as companies chose to travel around Africa instead, increasing costs and prolonging voyages.

Rassias replied, "My answer is clear: no," when asked if would return again. He is a Greek marine engineer's union member, PEMEN.

"We urge members to refuse to accept any pressure and to place their safety and life first. We demand that they do not work in war zones, at all costs."

Rockets fly

Charles Watkins is the CEO and clinical psychologist of Mental Health Support Solutions. He met with 40 seafarers on two ships who sailed across the Red Sea. Many seafarers have suffered trauma, and some may be considering quitting the trade.

Watkins explained that "there can be sleep disorders, nightmares, and they may be easily startled. They can also be stressed. And they might suddenly feel the urge to stop eating."

Despite the fact that most ships are equipped with armed guards to protect their crew in case of attack, crew members themselves are not well-trained or prepared for combat.

John Pavlopoulos is the head of Sea Guardian. His armed guards, who have crossed thousands of miles in this area, said that most merchant ship crews had no military training. The slightest explosion stresses them out.

Boris Basenko said that he does not expect to sail through the area again. He is the Ukrainian captain of Zografia, a Greek bulk carrier, which was hit by a missile this year in Yemen.

He said, "Rockets are launched every day into my city but I was hit by one that was a few hundred mile away from me" in Ukraine. "At that time, almost everyone in my crew did not want me to return to Red Sea."

Johnrhez Balboa was a 26 year old engine cadet, from the Philippines, on his first nine month stint at sea. He was aboard the vessel that was the first to pass the Red Sea in December last year after the Galaxy Leader was hijacked. His crew kept a "pirate-watch", scanning the waters for hijackers.

He said, "Guarding the ship was terrifying."

John Canias said that the International Transport Workers' Federation, the largest seafarers' union, offers support to those who choose not go.

Nearly 360,000 seafarers worldwide covered by ITF agreements have the right to refuse sailing in war zones designated and to demand repatriation on the shipowner's cost. Canias stated that in April, a zone known as "warlike operation area" was expanded by ITF at the request of the ITF.

He said that many shipowners were reluctant to travel through the area because they didn't want the lives of seafarers to be put at risk.

Growing Demand

Over 80% global trade is transported by sea. 1.8 million mariners are estimated to be working on ships. The shortage of qualified seafarers is growing.

According to the latest seafarer workforce survey published in 2021, 18,000 new officers will be needed each year to keep up with demand. The 80,000 strong ocean-going fleet requires thousands of officers at higher levels.

A union official reported that some Greek captains had already asked to be transferred on other vessels in order to avoid the Red Sea. In recent months, at least four Greek firms have decided to avoid the Red Sea area.

"We do not like to profit from the suffering of others." George Logothetis is the executive chairman of Libra Group, a privately-owned U.S. company.

Other companies review each case individually, weighing risks to crews and vessels.

Rene Kofod Olsen, CEO at V.Group, a world-leading ship management and crewing company, stated that the number of crossings of their managed fleet has decreased since the start of the conflict.

He added that in cases where ship owners have chosen to proceed, "we offer our seafarers an option to not continue and we can switch crew." Reporting by Renee Maltezou, Jonathan Saul and Neil Jerome Morales; Additional reporting from Yannis Souliotis and Neil Jerome Morales at Manila. Editing by Edward McAllister, Peter Graff