Strait of Hormuz crisis: thousands of seafarers still stuck after two months

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has entered its third month, leaving around 20,000 seafarers stranded on more than 1,600 vessels in the Persian Gulf. The Maritime Telegraph reports that ongoing security threats, naval actions, and slow-moving talks continue to block safe transit and disrupt global oil and gas shipping.

 

The International Maritime Organization warns that commercial vessels still have no safe route through the strait. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told the UN Security Council that risks remain high due to attacks, suspected naval mines, and the lack of clear security guarantees.

 

Life on board is becoming harder. Many crews have spent weeks waiting at anchor or drifting under strict limits. Fatigue is rising, and seafarers report growing stress and uncertainty about when they will be able to leave.

 

Incidents at sea continue to add pressure. Since the start of the crisis, at least 29 vessel-related events have been recorded, including attacks that killed 10 seafarers and injured others. Some ships have also been seized.

 

Naval enforcement has stepped up. U.S. forces have turned away dozens of vessels approaching the strait. In one recent case, the LPG carrier MV Sevan was intercepted in the Arabian Sea and sent back toward Iranian waters over suspected links to sanctioned trade.

 

At the same time, Iran has tightened control over tanker movements in the Persian Gulf, adding to a two-sided blockade that continues to disrupt regular shipping through the strait.

 

Diplomatic efforts are still in motion but without clear results. Iran has reportedly предложил a new plan through Pakistan, calling for a ceasefire and a gradual return of shipping traffic. However, the U.S. wants broader security guarantees, so talks remain open with no timeline.

 

The IMO is also preparing a possible evacuation plan for vessels and crews, using the established route between Iran and Oman once it becomes safe. But major challenges remain, including mine risks, insurance limits, and legal uncertainty around transit.

 

For now, little has changed: ships remain idle, crews are under strain, and the Strait of Hormuz is still effectively closed to safe commercial navigation.

 

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