Rising tensions in the Middle East have stranded 2,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting urgent calls for action.
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, announced that the escalating tensions in the Middle East have led to a serious maritime crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Dominguez reported that approximately 2,000 vessels are stranded in the region and that 20,000 seafarers are waiting in uncertainty.
20,000 Seafarers at Risk
Emphasizing that the crisis has not only an economic but also a humanitarian dimension, Dominguez stated that the crews on board the vessels are facing serious challenges.
Pointing out the increasing levels of intense stress and physical fatigue, the IMO warned that stocks of food and medical supplies have dwindled to critical levels. The organization called for the urgent establishment of a 'humanitarian maritime corridor' for the evacuation of the stranded vessels.
Insurance and Freight Crisis Deepens
The rising risks in the region are creating serious economic impacts in the maritime sector. It has been reported that insurance companies have started to exclude the region from coverage, existing policies have been canceled, or premiums have sharply increased.
With the significant halt of transits in the Strait of Hormuz, there are severe fluctuations in global energy prices and the freight market.
IMO Emphasizes Diplomacy
During an extraordinary meeting of the IMO Council held in London, it was emphasized that seafarers should not become victims of geopolitical tensions. Dominguez noted that military escorts do not completely eliminate risks and called for diplomacy as a permanent solution.
'This Situation is Unacceptable'
In his statement, Dominguez expressed the following:
'No innocent seafarer or civilian vessel should become a target of global conflicts. This is an unacceptable and unsustainable situation.'
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
