IMO Canvasses Coordinated Action To Evacuate 20,000 Stranded Seafarers In Persian Gulf

In a stark evaluation of the escalating crisis, the International Maritime Organisation IMO, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned that around 20,000 seafarers remain trapped aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Since 28 February 2026, IMO has confirmed 21 attacks on commercial ships, with 10 seafarer fatalities and several injured. Around 20,000 civilian seafarers remain aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers from over 40 countries, hosted by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, he underscored the dire humanitarian toll: crew safety is paramount, with risks of prolonged stranding, crew exhaustion, disrupted rotations, and potential environmental disasters from immobilized ships.

Dominguez critiqued “fragmented responses” as inadequate, calling instead for de-escalation through diplomatic engagement, neutral maritime solutions, and unified international efforts.

He outlined IMO’s proposed framework: coastal state cooperation, security guarantees, and operational coordination to release vessels, enable safe evacuations and crew changes, and avert catastrophe.

“Fragmented responses are no longer sufficient,” he stated. “What is urgently required is practical solutions and coordinated action to protect seafarers’ rights, navigation freedoms, and wellbeing.”

“IMO is advancing a maritime evacuation framework built on coastal State cooperation, security guarantees and operational coordination, with the clear objective of releasing stranded vessels, enabling safe crew rotations and preventing an environmental disaster.”