Maritime Gridlock Persists as IMO Warns of Safety Risks in Hormuz

The humanitarian and operational crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has reached a new peak, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reporting that approximately 6,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard hundreds of vessels. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued a stark warning on Sunday, insisting that all transit through the Strait should be avoided until 'necessary safety conditions are in place.' The agency has been forced to put the evacuation of stranded personnel on hold due to the high risk of renewed strikes in the waterway.

Data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence highlights the severity of the standstill. In June 2025, the Strait saw over 3,100 transits; by contrast, only 576 transits were recorded this past June, and July figures are expected to be even lower. While some vessels have attempted to transit in 'dark mode'—switching off transponders to avoid detection—this practice has significantly increased the risk of collisions and miscalculations. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Centre has recorded at least 10 direct attacks on commercial ships since the conflict intensified in March.

The impact on global trade extends beyond energy. The Strait is a vital artery for fertilizers, helium, and industrial products. The World Trade Organization (WTO) noted that while some economies have adapted by diverting cargo to the Red Sea or utilizing overland routes through Saudi Arabia, these alternatives are significantly more expensive and have limited capacity. For the 11,000 seafarers originally caught in the crossfire, the situation is increasingly dire. Although 2,900 have been successfully evacuated to date, those remaining face dwindling supplies and the constant threat of maritime mines or drone strikes. The IMO Council has condemned Iran for its 'continued threats' against commercial shipping, while Tehran maintains that the U.S. blockade is the primary cause of the maritime paralysis. Without a diplomatic breakthrough that specifically addresses the safety of merchant mariners, the 'Hormuz Bottleneck' is likely to remain a permanent fixture of the 2026 global trade landscape.