An estimated 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Arabian Gulf as escalating tensions and the threat of Iranian attacks near the Strait of Hormuz have forced shipping companies to suspend operations, according to the head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO, said the agency has urged vessels to halt transits through the strategic waterway until security conditions improve. The warning comes as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate following the outbreak of hostilities over the weekend.
Speaking to The National, Dominguez emphasized that the safety of seafarers remains the organization’s primary concern. He stressed that commercial shipping should not become a casualty of geopolitical conflicts.
“During a conflict, any ship that gets targeted, my first concern is the people on board — the innocent seafarers who work every day to provide essential goods for the world,” he said, adding that shipping should not be used as leverage in military confrontations.
Major shipping companies have ordered vessels to seek shelter and avoid the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor that connects the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Maritime analysts warn that Iran has positioned a drone carrier vessel near the strait capable of launching attacks on passing ships. The ship is reportedly equipped with both short- and long-range missile systems.
With ports across the Gulf already operating at capacity, many vessels remain at sea, unable to dock. Ships cannot be abandoned, and crews cannot leave without replacement personnel, leaving thousands of seafarers stranded while awaiting instructions.
The crisis is also affecting around 15,000 cruise passengers aboard ships caught in Gulf waters.
Dominguez confirmed that the IMO is coordinating with member states to explore naval support options to ensure safe passage for vessels navigating the region.
