Scientists warn that ships in the Strait of Hormuz may spread invasive species globally due to prolonged inactivity and hull contamination.
Ships waiting in the Strait of Hormuz pose a global biological invasion risk.
An international group of scientists has warned that ships waiting for months due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz may spread algae, mussels, sea snails, and microorganisms concentrated on their hulls to ports around the world. Researchers indicate that the resumption of voyages by these ships could create a 'biological invasion super-spreader' effect.
Twenty-four scientists from institutions including the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reported that significant biological contamination has developed on the hulls of commercial vessels that have remained inactive for an extended period around Hormuz. The study was published in the scientific journal Biological Invasions.
When ships' hulls, propellers, sea chests, and underwater openings remain in the same warm waters for a long time, they transform into a vibrant habitat for bacteria, algae, mussels, barnacles, and other invertebrates. When these ships travel to ports in different climatic regions, some of these organisms can be transported to new ecosystems.
Researchers estimate that over 1,500 large commercial vessels have entered a prolonged waiting period in the broader Gulf region, including the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. This number is not contradictory to the UN's statement of approximately 400 ships and 6,000 seafarers. The UN figure refers to vessels that are stranded and whose crew situations are monitored, while the scientific study addresses a broader group of ships that have remained commercially inactive in the region for an extended period.
According to the research, IMO guidelines recommend that vessels inactive for more than 30 days undergo intervention for biological contamination before resuming voyages. Some ships around Hormuz have been waiting in warm waters for about four months.
Scientists recommend pre-departure hull inspections, underwater cleaning under appropriate conditions, pre-identification of the first ports of call for the vessels, and the establishment of early detection programs in high-risk ports. However, this news does not indicate that a global biological invasion has already occurred. The scientific study serves as an early warning regarding the magnitude of the emerging risk.
If ships departing from Hormuz arrive at Mediterranean and Turkish ports, the importance of hull contamination records and the dates of the last cleaning will increase for port authorities, shipowners, and underwater service companies. The visible part of the crisis is on deck, while the silent part is growing below the waterline of the ship.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
