NAIROBI, Kenya- Around 1,500 ships and nearly 20,000 crew members are stranded in the Gulf following the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the International Maritime Organization.
The escalating crisis is raising fears over global trade disruptions and soaring energy prices as tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States continue.
Why thousands of sailors are trapped in the Gulf
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the stranded crews are victims of geopolitical conflict beyond their control.
He noted that many of the affected sailors remain stuck aboard vessels unable to safely transit the crucial shipping route.
According to the IMO, maritime shipping accounts for more than 80pc of goods consumed globally, making the Hormuz disruption a major concern for international supply chains.
How the Hormuz blockade is affecting global trade
Before the conflict escalated, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade has already triggered sharp increases in global fuel and energy prices.
The war, which erupted after Israeli and US attacks on Iran earlier this year, has expanded across the region and disrupted one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
Businesses and shipping operators are now facing mounting uncertainty over delivery timelines and rising transport costs.
Trump’s naval escort plan and what happens next
US President Donald Trump earlier announced a naval escort operation aimed at reopening the strait and protecting trapped vessels.
However, Washington later paused the operation as diplomatic efforts intensified.
The United States is now awaiting Iran’s response to proposals aimed at ending the conflict and restoring normal shipping operations through Hormuz.
Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could deepen economic pressure globally, especially on oil-importing countries already battling inflation.
