Arsenio Dominguez: 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz

March 7 ------ The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, has warned that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz region are currently unsafe for vessels and the thousands of seafarers who operate there.

The conflict in Iran has escalated into a major regional crisis following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel at the end of February 2026, which killed Iran’s supreme leader, prompting fierce retaliation from Tehran’s forces. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared it controls the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to fire on vessels attempting to transit the vital waterway, significantly disrupting maritime traffic and global oil flows.

In a video interview published by The National, Dominguez stressed that the strategic waterway has not been formally closed, but heightened tensions have created serious operational risks. "The Strait of Hormuz is actually open. The Strait is not closed. It’s just that it’s not safe for ships to navigate and operate in the region right now," he said.

35,000 people directly affected

According to Dominguez, the immediate human impact is significant. Around 20,000 seafarers aboard cargo vessels are currently affected by the deteriorating security situation. In addition, an estimated 15,000 passengers and crew on passenger ships face disruption. “The ones that are immediately affected are the seafarers, the people on board the ships,” Dominguez said, highlighting concerns for their safety, mental health and overall well-being.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, linking the Gulf to global markets. Any instability in the region has far-reaching consequences for global trade and energy supplies.

Insurance costs surge fivefold

Dominguez also pointed to growing financial pressure on ship operators. War risk insurance premiums have surged dramatically, with insurers reportedly charging five times higher rates, making coverage increasingly unaffordable for many vessels. "We now see how insurance companies are not ready to provide the war risk insurance to vessels. They are five times the prices, which of course are not affordable," the Sec-Gen pointed out.

Without adequate insurance coverage, many ships may be forced to delay voyages or reroute entirely.

Echoes of the Red Sea crisis

The situation mirrors disruptions in the Red Sea in recent years, when security concerns forced ships to avoid the area and take longer alternative routes. "When it was not safe to sail through the Red Sea, ships had to take longer routes." Dominguez noted.

Extended deployments also raise costs for shipowners, which are typically passed on through higher freight rates. “That increases the cost of operations of the ships,” Dominguez said, “which of course means that the cargos, when they get delivered, have an increased premium.”

Source: safety4sea.com