Despite the ongoing ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, moving the thousands of sailors currently stranded in the Gulf is still deemed too dangerous, according to Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He emphasized that meaningful action cannot occur until the underlying issues are resolved and a comprehensive agreement is reached among the conflicting parties. Dominguez’s comments came as the shipping industry gathers for the Posidonia event in Athens.
Approximately 20,000 seafarers remain aboard vessels in the Gulf, hindered by Iranian restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Dominguez highlighted that without guarantees for their safety, any attempts to relocate these sailors would be too risky. Since the onset of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28, eleven seafarers have tragically lost their lives in the Gulf.
The IMO is actively seeking solutions to create a safe maritime corridor for vessels, which includes recent discussions with Iranian representatives in Oman. However, traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz has significantly diminished, currently involving only a few tankers. Ship operators stress that after months of being stranded, crews urgently need a clearly defined and safe exit strategy, as many are missing important personal milestones.
