Seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz crisis: IMO calls for safe-passage framework

March 23 ------ The IMO Council met on 18–19 March 2026 to discuss the situation in the Middle East and its impact on shipping and seafarers.

As tensions escalate across the region, with the war in Iran continuing to destabilize the area, global attention has largely focused on geopolitics, energy markets, and military developments. Yet one critical group remains consistently overlooked: the seafarers operating vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. In many ways, seafarers are on the frontline of this crisis. They continue to navigate high-risk waters to ensure that essential goods, fuel, and raw materials reach global markets. They are not just part of the supply chain; they are the people who keep global trade moving. Despite facing immediate and tangible risks, their role and wellbeing are rarely acknowledged in mainstream coverage.

Against this backdrop, the IMO convened an extraordinary session of its Council to examine developments in the Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman, and Gulf region, and to address the worsening impact on shipping and seafarers. The Council strongly condemned threats and attacks against merchant vessels, as well as the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It emphasized that such actions undermine international law, particularly the principle of freedom of navigation. Crucially, the IMO highlighted the direct consequences for seafarers. It called for an immediate halt to all attacks on civilian crews and stressed the need for coordinated international action to protect both shipping and those onboard.

In his closing remarks, the IMO Secretary-General stated: "Let it be the responsibility of each and every one of us to demonstrate that inaction is not an option, that words alone are not sufficient. Together, we can drive the change required to protect the wellbeing of those who have no voice and safeguard the principle of freedom of navigation."

Beyond the headlines, the daily reality for seafarers in the region is one of mounting pressure. Crews must contend not only with physical threats but also with operational challenges, including the disruption of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) through jamming and spoofing. Fatigue is an increasing concern. Extended periods at sea, combined with heightened alertness and stress, can significantly impair decision-making and compromise safety. Masters must exercise their authority under increasingly difficult conditions, balancing commercial pressures with the wellbeing of their crews.

At the same time, isolation takes a psychological toll. The ability to communicate with family becomes a critical lifeline. Recognizing this, the IMO urged Member States to ensure that seafarers can maintain contact with loved ones and that vessels remain adequately supplied with essential provisions.

A call for safe passage and humanitarian protection

In response to escalating risks, the IMO Council called for the urgent establishment of a safe maritime framework. This provisional measure would facilitate the evacuation of merchant vessels currently confined within the Gulf region. "I am ready to start working immediately on negotiations to establish a humanitarian corridor to evacuate all vessels and seafarers trapped. However, for this to materialize, I will need the understanding, commitment and, above all, concrete actions from all relevant countries, as well as industry and UN agencies," said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during the IMO Council.

Industry response: Recognizing risk, demanding protection

Industry organizations have echoed the IMO’s concerns while reinforcing the need to keep seafarers at the center of the response.

The UK Chamber of Shipping welcomed the strong condemnation of attacks on unarmed commercial vessels and stressed the urgent need to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It emphasized that freedom of navigation is fundamental to global trade and must be protected. Importantly, the Chamber highlighted that seafarers continue to bear the brunt of geopolitical instability. Their safety must remain the top priority throughout both the crisis and recovery phases.

In recognition of the heightened risks, the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman have been designated a “Warlike Operations Area.” This classification provides enhanced protections and compensation for crews operating in the region—an essential step, but also a stark indication of the dangers involved.

Similarly, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) reaffirmed its commitment to maritime safety and called for immediate action to halt attacks on vessels. It urged governments and authorities to coordinate efforts to restore stability and ensure the continuous provision of essential supplies to ships unable to leave the region. "The right to freedom of navigation is paramount and must be protected. Efforts to safeguard shipping and facilitate its movement should be closely coordinated with the industry to ensure practical and effective outcomes," said Thomas A. Kazakos, Secretary General of ICS.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) also called for immediate, concrete, and coordinated government action to protect seafarers. Speaking after the meeting, ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said, "The world has recognized the grave danger facing seafarers near the Strait of Hormuz—now governments must act. For the thousands still trapped in the region, facing daily threats to their lives, words are not enough. What matters now is urgent, practical action that safeguards their safety, health, and dignity."

Lydia Ferrad, ITF Permanent Representative to the IMO, warned that conditions remain perilous, "This is not an abstract geopolitical crisis—it is a human crisis at sea. Seafarers have been killed. Others have been injured. Thousands remain stranded onboard vessels in conditions of fear, fatigue, and uncertainty. We are receiving daily distress calls from crews who do not know if they will make it home.

Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council, also welcomed the IMO Council’s call for an immediate halt to attacks on ships affecting innocent civilians. He expressed strong support for measures to assist seafarers trapped in the Persian Gulf, including access to food and essential supplies, as well as the establishment of a safe maritime corridor to allow vessels to leave the region. "Seafarers are not part of this conflict, yet they are caught in its path. They must not be targets," he said.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime chokepoints, with a significant share of global oil and gas passing through it. However, following the joint US–Israel military operation on 28 February targeting sites in Iran, the region has become increasingly volatile.

Reports of attacks on merchant vessels and the effective closure of the Strait have created an unpredictable and high-risk operating environment. These incidents have resulted in fatalities and serious injuries among seafarers, while an estimated 20,000 crew members remain trapped in the affected area.

Redefining the narrative: Putting seafarers first

Despite strong statements from international bodies and industry leaders, the broader narrative still fails to adequately reflect the human dimension of the crisis.

Seafarers are too often treated as invisible actors in a story dominated by states and markets. This must change. The seafarers manning the ships that pass via the Strait of Hormuz are central to the functioning of the global economy. Without them, supply chains collapse. Recognizing their role is not simply about acknowledgment; it is about ensuring that their safety, rights, and welfare are fully integrated into decision-making processes at every level.

As international efforts intensify to address the ongoing crisis and restore safe navigation in the region, the need for decisive and coordinated action has never been greater. Protecting seafarers must go beyond statements of support. It requires practical measures: ensuring safe passage, maintaining supply lines to stranded vessels, enabling crew changes, and safeguarding communication with families.

Source: safety4sea.com