Strait of Hormuz Disruption Leaves 20,000 Seafarers Stranded as IMO Convenes Emergency Council
A Strait of Hormuz shipping disruption has left around 3,200 vessels carrying nearly 20,000 seafarers stranded west of the waterway as security risks escalate across the Persian Gulf, as The Maritime Telegraph claimed.
The International Maritime Organization will hold an extraordinary council session on March 18–19 in London to assess the situation and coordinate a response to growing threats in the Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman, and Persian Gulf.
The crisis began on 1 March 2026 after attacks on four merchant vessels, which left two seafarers and one port worker dead. Further incidents in the following weeks caused additional casualties and injuries, raising concerns across the industry.
As risks increased, many shipowners delayed transit and instructed vessels to hold position west of the strait. The IMO estimates thousands of ships remain waiting, leaving tens of thousands of seafarers confined onboard. Threats in the region include missile strikes, drone attacks, and explosive boats, creating a highly volatile environment for commercial shipping.
