Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stated that about 2,000 ships carrying 20,000 sailors are currently stranded in the Hormuz Strait. He described the situation as a major challenge for the global shipping industry. Dominguez warned that the longer the ships remain there, the greater the mental stress and fatigue among sailors, and the more limited the supply of essential provisions will become.

According to the IMO chief, insurance companies are refusing to bear the financial losses, with many canceling contracts or demanding significantly higher premiums. He noted that assistance from countries surrounding the strait has so far prevented a humanitarian crisis. The IMO is pressing for the creation of a humanitarian corridor to allow the stranded vessels to leave the area.

Dominguez also criticized U.S. President Trump’s plan to escort ships through the strait, calling it “unacceptable” because there is no guarantee that commercial vessels will not be targeted or that innocent sailors will remain unharmed.