War fallout spreads — A silent crisis is unfolding on the seas

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The International Maritime Organization has warned that about 20,000 seafarers are directly exposed to dangers linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The risks identified include missile threats, falling debris, limited access to food and water on board vessels, as well as potential medical emergencies and technical breakdowns.

The UN maritime body is currently collaborating with the global shipping industry on contingency plans, including establishing a safe evacuation framework for vessels and crew operating within the conflict zone.

The evacuation process could involve approximately 800 ships—with an estimated average of 25 crew members per vessel—engaged in international trade and transporting essential energy supplies and commodities.

In a statement issued on Monday, the IMO stated that all individuals on ships within the Persian Gulf area “are vulnerable to any re-escalation of the conflict.”

Despite some crew rotations and repatriation efforts affecting about 450 seafarers, tens of thousands remain at sea, with the wider fleet in the region estimated to include up to 3,000 vessels.

The IMO also urged ships to exercise extreme caution amid the evolving situation in the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the United States.

The agency further noted that reliance on naval escorts alone is not a sustainable solution, calling instead for de-escalation and a long-term agreement to safeguard seafarers and ensure safe navigation.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in late February, dozens of incidents involving ships operating in and around the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Hormuz Strait have been reported.

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