Hormuz Crisis Is a Test of Trust Between Shipmanagers and Owners, Says InterManager President

The crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is being examined through a new lens by one of the maritime industry's most prominent voices, with InterManager president Sebastian von Hardenberg arguing that the situation represents a critical test of the trust that underpins the shipmanagement sector. Writing in an opinion piece published by Splash247, von Hardenberg contends that while mainstream analysis of the Hormuz situation tends to focus on vessel delays, energy security, freight rate volatility, and broader risks to global trade, these concerns — though significant — do not capture the full picture for those responsible for managing ships and the seafarers aboard them. For shipmanagers, the crisis cuts to the heart of their professional and ethical obligations. The decisions made in high-risk transit zones like the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most strategically vital chokepoints, through which approximately 20% of global oil trade passes — place shipmanagers in an acutely difficult position, balancing commercial pressures from owners against their duty of care to crew members. Von Hardenberg's commentary arrives at a time of heightened tension in the region, with the threat of vessel seizures, drone and missile attacks, and geopolitical brinkmanship continuing to cast a shadow over transits through the strait. The International Group of P&I Clubs and major war risk underwriters have repeatedly flagged the area as one of elevated concern, with insurance premiums for vessels operating in the region reflecting the persistent danger. The InterManager president's framing of the crisis as a 'test of trust' speaks to a broader structural tension within the third-party shipmanagement model. Shipmanagers operate vessels on behalf of owners but bear direct responsibility for crew welfare and safe navigation. When commercial imperatives push toward transits through contested or dangerous waters, the question of who holds ultimate authority — and who bears ultimate responsibility — becomes sharply relevant. Industry observers note that the Hormuz situation has prompted renewed calls for clearer contractual frameworks governing how risk is allocated between owners and managers in conflict-affected areas, as well as greater transparency around crew consent and the right of seafarers to refuse unsafe voyages. Von Hardenberg's intervention is likely to resonate across the shipmanagement community, where firms ranging from large multinationals to boutique operators are grappling with how to navigate both the physical and reputational risks posed by continued operations in the region. The full opinion piece is available on Splash247.