20,000 Seafarers Trapped In Middle East Waters, IMO Says

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has raised the alarm over the plight of nearly 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Middle East.

In a statement, the IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, warned that escalating attacks on commercial vessels have left thousands exposed to grave danger and uncertainty.

Dominguez, however, condemned the ongoing assaults and seizures of ships in the region, describing them as unacceptable and calling for their immediate cessation.

He said, “The attacks on and seizures of commercial ships are unacceptable. I once again call for these reckless actions to cease and for any ships and innocent seafarers to be released immediately.

The situation in the region remains extremely volatile. I cannot understand why companies would take risks and endanger seafarers’ lives.”

He urged those responsible to release all affected vessels and innocent seafarers without delay, stressing that the situation across key shipping routes, particularly the Persian Gulf, remains highly volatile.

Dominguez revealed that he recently spoke with a seafarer stranded in the region, who recounted the constant fear of missile attacks, the threat posed by falling debris, and the struggle to ration limited supplies while maintaining contact with family members.

While that individual has since been able to leave, the IMO chief noted that thousands of others have remained stuck at sea for more than seven weeks, with no clear timeline for their return home.

He questioned why shipping companies continue to expose crews to such risks, warning that the safety and well-being of seafarers must be prioritised at all times.

According to him, de-escalation of tensions and concrete steps to restore freedom of navigation are critical to resolving the crisis and ensuring the safe movement of global maritime trade.

“De-escalation, meaningful actions and restoring the freedom of navigation are the only ways forward,” he stated.