DUBAI (MNN); The international shipping industry is experiencing significant disruption as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz leave thousands of vessels and their crews unable to move, the head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez revealed that approximately 2,000 ships and nearly 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in and around the strategically vital waterway.
Describing the situation as “quite a challenge,” Dominguez said the prolonged standoff is putting severe strain on crews, who are facing increasing stress, fatigue, and diminishing onboard supplies.
“The longer these ships remain stranded, the greater the pressure on seafarers, both mentally and physically, as well as on essential operational resources,” he said in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Dominguez also highlighted rising concerns in the shipping sector, noting that insurance companies are increasingly unwilling to cover risks. Many firms have either withdrawn coverage or sharply increased premiums.
Despite the worsening situation, he said a humanitarian crisis has so far been avoided due to assistance provided by countries bordering the strait. He added that IMO is advocating the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow safe passage for stranded vessels.
Commenting on proposals by Donald Trump to deploy naval escorts for ships navigating the strait, Dominguez warned that such measures would be “unsustainable,” citing the lack of guarantees against attacks and the continuing risk to civilian seafarers.
