UN calls for evacuation of 6,000 seafarers stranded in Strait of Hormuz

The United Nations has called for the evacuation of approximately 6,000 seafarers stranded aboard nearly 500 vessels in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the continued disruption of maritime navigation is heightening security risks.

24 July, 2026 15:10

NEWS DESK

On Friday, the United Nations called for the evacuation of thousands of seafarers stranded in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, as maritime traffic has come to a near standstill amid escalating security tensions.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said that around 6,000 seafarers remain aboard nearly 500 vessels, while transit through the Strait has dropped to almost zero following the recent escalation of attacks in the region.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stressed that seafarers are civilians and are neither trained nor equipped to operate in armed conflict zones. He underscored the need to ensure their safety, noting that maritime transport carries approximately 90% of global trade.

The United Nations also reiterated that imposing fees for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is inconsistent with international law, warning that the continued disruption of maritime navigation threatens global supply chains and is driving up energy and trade costs.