Strait of Hormuz crisis leaves 35,000 sailors and cruise passengers stranded in Gulf

About 20,000 merchant sailors and roughly 15,000 cruise passengers are currently unable to leave the Arabian Gulf as tensions between the United States and Iran threaten maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Nations’ shipping agency.

The warning came from Arsenio Dominguez, secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who said the organisation is focused on protecting crews caught in the region after fighting between Washington and Tehran erupted last weekend.

Shipping halted amid security threats

Commercial vessels have largely stopped travelling through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran warned it could target ships passing through the narrow waterway linking the Arabian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Shipping companies have instructed vessels already in the area to remain in place until the situation stabilises.

The strait is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying about one-fifth of global oil shipments. Disruptions there can quickly ripple through global energy markets and international trade.

Many ships that would normally enter nearby ports are now waiting offshore because harbour capacity is limited. Crews cannot abandon their vessels without replacements, leaving thousands of seafarers effectively stuck at sea, many of whom were nearing the end of their contracts and expected to return home soon.

Dominguez emphasised that commercial shipping should not become entangled in military confrontations. He said the safety of civilian crews is the organisation’s primary concern.

Reports of attacks and explosions

Security concerns intensified after Iranian state media reported that Iranian forces struck a US oil tanker in international waters near Kuwait on Thursday, causing a fire. The United States has not yet confirmed the claim.

Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre said another tanker anchored off Kuwait experienced a large explosion Wednesday night. The vessel reportedly began taking on water and leaking oil.

Iran is believed to have deployed a vessel carrying drones and missiles near the Strait of Hormuz, which analysts say could threaten ships attempting to transit the area.

Cruise passengers caught in the region

Beyond commercial crews, thousands of travellers aboard passenger vessels have also been caught up in the disruption.

According to Dominguez, approximately 15,000 cruise passengers remain on ships unable to safely navigate out of Gulf waters as the security situation deteriorates.

Calls for naval escorts and diplomacy

The IMO is coordinating with member governments about possible naval support to help protect merchant vessels if shipping resumes.

The United States has indicated it may provide security assistance and political risk insurance for ships crossing the strait. France has also suggested forming an international naval coalition to protect maritime traffic.

However, Dominguez stressed that a lasting solution cannot be imposed by a single country. He argued that negotiations between the parties involved in the conflict will be necessary to restore safe navigation.

Economic impact already emerging

Even in the early days of the crisis, markets have begun reacting. Oil and natural gas prices have climbed, and shipping insurers are reconsidering coverage for vessels entering the Gulf.

War-risk insurance, required for ships sailing through dangerous regions, has already become more expensive. Some insurers may refuse coverage entirely, while others are likely to raise premiums significantly. Those additional costs often end up being passed on to consumers through higher transport and commodity prices.

Maritime authorities also warn that disruptions could have longer-term consequences. More than 3,000 ships typically move through the Strait of Hormuz, and delays there can affect port schedules, cargo deliveries and freight rates worldwide.

Industry already strained by recent crises

The shipping sector is still dealing with instability from recent conflicts. After the October 2023 attacks on Israel, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen began targeting vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting traffic near the Suez Canal.

Although a ceasefire agreement reduced some of those attacks, maritime security concerns remain. The IMO even played a role in negotiations that secured the release of crew members from the MV Galaxy Leader, who were held by the Houthis for more than a year.

Recruitment concerns grow

Repeated security crises are also affecting the industry’s workforce. Dominguez said safety concerns are making it harder to attract younger workers to seafaring careers, which already require long periods away from home.

Despite the challenges, he noted that global trade still depends heavily on maritime transport and that maintaining safe navigation routes is essential for the delivery of food, fuel and other critical goods.

With tensions still escalating only days into the US-Iran conflict, shipping officials warn the disruption, and its economic consequences, could grow significantly if the Strait of Hormuz remains unsafe.

With information from The National News.