20,000 Seafarers Stranded in Persian Gulf; IMO Warns Evacuation Risk Too High

Central News Agency, Athens, June 1. The head of the UN maritime agency stated that although the US and Iran are currently in a ceasefire, the risk of evacuating the 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf remains too high. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), told Reuters before the opening of the Posidonia maritime exhibition in Athens on May 31: "Unless the root causes of the conflict are resolved and the warring parties reach a more effective final agreement, ceasefire arrangement, or comprehensive agreement, we cannot initiate any action." Due to Iran's restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, an estimated 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded on ships in the Persian Gulf. Dominguez said: "Under the current circumstances, evacuation operations are too risky because their safety is not guaranteed at all." According to IMO statistics, since the war between the US and Israel against Iran began on February 28, 11 seafarers have lost their lives in the Persian Gulf. Dominguez pointed out that the IMO has been trying to arrange safe maritime corridors in recent weeks to facilitate the evacuation of ships and is consulting with relevant parties in Oman. He said: "You will hear news that the Strait of Hormuz is open, but a few hours later it is suddenly announced that it is closed. We cannot take the risk until we are sure the situation is safer." Shipping operators say that after being stranded for three months, crews urgently need a negotiated safe evacuation plan. Pankaj Khanna, CEO of Heidmar Maritime Holdings Corp, said: "Seafarers are missing not only time with their families, but also important life moments such as the birth of newborns, the death of loved ones, and weddings." He added that one of the company's ships has been stranded in the Persian Gulf for three months.