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UN: 20,000 Seafarers and 15,000 Passengers Stranded in the Gulf Due to War

Published March 5, 2026, 17:11
UN: 20,000 Seafarers and 15,000 Passengers Stranded in the Gulf Due to War

Approximately 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 passengers are stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. The IMO is ready to cooperate to ensure the safety of seafarers. The Lloyd's of London insurance market is collaborating with the US International Development Finance Corporation on a plan to provide insurance coverage against political risks for maritime trade in the Gulf. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim to have full control of the Strait of Hormuz. The IMO has recorded seven incidents related to ships in the Strait, resulting in two deaths and six injuries. Mr. Dominguez stressed that this is a humanitarian issue and called on all shipping companies to exercise maximum caution. Major shipping companies have halted their vessels and are diverting routes. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased by 90%, according to Kpler. The US and France are considering the creation of a coalition to protect maritime routes.