IMO Says Over 20,000 Crew Stranded At Strait Of Hormuz, Mourns Dead Seafarers

The secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has raised alarm over the safety of seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf, revealing that about 20,000 crew members are currently stranded onboard vessels in the region under heightened security risks and psychological pressure.

Dominguez made the disclosure following a deadly attack on a vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on March 6, 2026, which reportedly killed four seafarers and left three others severely injured.

The incident has intensified fears across the global shipping community, as the narrow waterway remains one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, through which a large portion of global oil shipments passes daily.

In a statement reacting to the development, Dominguez said the IMO was deeply disturbed by the loss of lives, stressing that seafarers, who play a vital role in sustaining international trade, must never become targets in geopolitical conflicts.

“I am alarmed and deeply saddened to hear of a deadly attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on 6 March 2026, in which at least four seafarers have reportedly lost their lives and three severely injured,” Dominguez said.

He added that the tragedy had sent shockwaves across the global maritime industry, noting that thousands of seafarers currently operating in the region are facing uncertainty and mounting anxiety.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected, as well as the global maritime community mourning these losses,” he said.

According to the IMO chief, around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on vessels in the Persian Gulf, operating under conditions of heightened security threats and considerable mental strain as tensions persist in the region.

He warned that the situation is both unacceptable and unsustainable, urging governments, shipowners, maritime authorities and other stakeholders to take urgent steps to guarantee the safety of crew members.

Dominguez stressed that international maritime law guarantees the protection, welfare and rights of seafarers, including their safety and the principle of freedom of navigation on global waterways.

“All parties and stakeholders have an obligation to take necessary measures to ensure the protection of seafarers, including their rights and well-being, and the freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law,” he stated.

The IMO chief also called for collective international action to prevent further attacks on merchant vessels, warning that continued insecurity in key shipping lanes could disrupt global trade and put thousands of maritime workers at risk.

The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, remains a vital artery for global energy supply and commercial shipping, making any security disruption in the area a major concern for the international maritime community.