International Warning: 400 Ships Stranded in the Gulf Amid Escalating Maritime Risks

International Warning: 400 Ships Stranded in the Gulf Amid Escalating Maritime Risks

The International Maritime Organization has warned of the ongoing risks facing navigation and seafarers in the Gulf region, noting that approximately 400 ships remain unable to leave safely, six months after the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran. The Secretary-General of the organization, Arsenio Dominguez, stated that some ships and their crews have managed to leave the area, yet about 400 ships, carrying approximately 6,000 sailors, have been stranded since the conflict began. He added that the organization has documented around 70 attacks targeting international ships in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz since late February, resulting in the deaths of 19 sailors. Dominguez emphasized that the deterioration of maritime security negatively impacts international navigation, pointing out that sailors aboard the stranded vessels are facing direct consequences due to the ongoing unstable security situation. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most significant international maritime passages, particularly for the export of oil and gas from regional countries. The escalating military confrontation between Washington and Tehran has increased the risks facing commercial ships and maritime crews transiting the area. The warnings from the International Maritime Organization come amid concerns about the continued repercussions of the conflict on the safety of international navigation, supply chains, and the movement of trade and energy through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.