The head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has expressed grave concern over the number of seafarers stranded aboard vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, labeling the situation as “unacceptable” for a civilian workforce. Speaking at the opening of the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee in London, he highlighted the ongoing risks faced by these maritime workers, who are confined in a high-risk area with limited ability to operate or leave.
Dominguez noted that these seafarers are enduring sustained security threats and significant psychological stress due to the immobilization of ships in the region. This predicament not only affects the well-being of the crew but also poses serious implications for global trade, energy supplies, and economic stability. He warned that the longer the situation continues, the higher the risk of a serious maritime incident occurring.
Emphasizing the importance of respecting freedom of navigation, Dominguez asserted that seafarers and merchant vessels should not become collateral damage in geopolitical conflicts. He reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating efforts aimed at establishing safe maritime corridors for the potential evacuation of seafarers if necessary.
