Iran’s Strait of Hormuz blockade leaves 1,500 ships, 20,000 crew stranded: IMO

Speaking at the Maritime Convention of the Americas in Panama on Thursday, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said thousands of civilian seafarers are caught in a crisis driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. “At this moment, around 1,500 ships and close to 20,000 crew members are unable to move,” Dominguez said. He emphasised that the affected sailors are civilians carrying out essential work and should not bear the consequences of international conflict.

He emphasised that the affected sailors are civilians carrying out essential work and should not bear the consequences of international conflict. “These are people simply doing their jobs to support global commerce, yet they are trapped in circumstances completely beyond their control,” he added.

The blockade came after tensions escalated in the region following military strikes by Israel and the United States against Iran on February 28. Tehran subsequently launched retaliatory actions across the region, further intensifying the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is among the world’s most critical shipping corridors, handling nearly 20 percent of global oil and gas trade before the conflict erupted. This situation has disrupted energy supplies and led to sharp rise in global oil and natural gas prices.

According to Dominguez, “any prolonged disruption to seaborne trade will have a significant effect on global supply chains, given that 80 percent of global commerce is moved via sea.”  Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced plans for a naval mission to escort commercial ships through the waterway and help reopen one of the most important strategic water channels. However, the operation was later put on hold amid signs of possible diplomatic engagement. Washington is now awaiting Tehran’s response to proposals aimed at easing tensions and restoring shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz.