UN maritime agency warns of shipping crisis near Strait of Hormuz
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- Around 2,000 commercial ships reportedly unable to transit Strait of Hormuz
- More than 20,000 seafarers affected, says IMO chief
- Warnings of food, fuel shortages and global energy shock
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has warned of a deepening humanitarian and logistical crisis in the Gulf, saying around 2,000 commercial vessels are currently “stranded” and unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional escalation.
In remarks cited by Spanish newspaper El País, Dominguez said more than 20,000 seafarers are now facing a critical situation as ships remain immobilised in key waterways.
He said vessels are already beginning to ration essential supplies, including food, water, and fuel, as uncertainty over safe passage continues. He also praised neighbouring states for providing limited medical and logistical support to crews despite the deteriorating security environment.
Dominguez added that the IMO is in consultations with Iran and Oman on potential evacuation and de-escalation mechanisms once conditions allow, stressing that any resumption of normal shipping would depend on clearing the waterway and ensuring it is free from maritime threats, including possible mines.
The warning comes as international economic institutions caution that prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a severe global energy shock, with significant consequences for supply chains and economic growth worldwide.
