MUSCAT : The ongoing situation in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a significant challenge for the global shipping industry, according to Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dominguez revealed that approximately 2,000 ships are currently unable to sail through the strait, leaving an estimated 20,000 seafarers stranded onboard. He highlighted the mounting toll on crews, who are facing increasing mental stress, fatigue, and dwindling supplies as the situation prolongs.

“The longer these ships remain there, the greater the strain on seafarers, both mentally and physically, alongside operational challenges due to reduced supplies,” Dominguez stated.

The crisis is further compounded by the reluctance of insurance companies to cover potential losses, with many reportedly cancelling contracts or imposing steep premiums, adding to the operational uncertainty faced by shipping companies.

Despite the severity of the situation, Dominguez noted that a full-scale humanitarian crisis has so far been avoided, largely due to aid and relief efforts by countries surrounding the strait. However, he stressed that the IMO is actively working to establish a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the safe passage of vessels out of the area.

Addressing proposed solutions, Dominguez described plans by US President Donald Trump to escort ships through the strait as “unsustainable,” citing the absence of guarantees against potential attacks on commercial vessels and the risk to civilian seafarers.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.