Middle East
Information related to shipping and seafarers - Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East.
The ongoing instability in the Middle East creates a rapidly evolving situation for global shipping. IMO is closely monitoring developments to protect more than 20,000 seafarers in the region, including those stranded on vessels unable to exit the Strait of Hormuz.
IMO is implementing an evacuation plan, in accordance with the direction of the IMO Council and in coordination with Member States and industry, to safely evacuate around 6,000 seafarers from the region.
IMO is also participating in a UN-led dedicated Task Force on the Strait of Hormuz.
This page provides data updates, official statements, regional contacts, incident list and guidance from IMO and partner organizations. Media queries should be sent to media@imo.org
Latest news
IMO Council reaffirms commitment to protecting vital shipping lanes (13 July)
IMO Secretary-General condemns new attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz (8 July)
IMO pauses evacuation in Strait of Hormuz following attack (25 June)
IMO announces evacuation plan in the Strait of Hormuz (23 June)
IMO safe evacuation framework
The IMO Council (C.ES.2, 18-19 March) called for the establishment of a safe maritime framework, as a provisional and urgent measure, to facilitate the safe evacuation of merchant ships currently confined within the Gulf region. In line with the Council request, IMO began implementing a plan to evacuate ships and seafarers that had been stranded in the Gulf due to the conflict.
The evacuation framework is a voluntary mechanism that maintains the rights and freedoms of navigation embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and customary international law. It is applicable to all vessels which are subject to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) that are currently confined in the Persian Gulf and wish to depart. IMO has worked closely with relevant states and industry partners to develop a list of affected vessels.
Daily evacuation reports (outbound transits) are published below. This evacuation plan is
currently paused.
More details here: Operational FAQs – IMO Strait of Hormuz Evacuation Plan
| DATE | TOTAL VESSELS EVACUATED |
|---|---|
| 23 June 2026 | 14 |
| 24 June 2026 | 41 |
| 25 June 2026 | 51 |
| 26 June 2026 | 30 |
| TOTAL | 136 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL SEAFARERS EVACUATED TO DATE | |
|---|---|
| TOTAL | 2,900 |
Strait of Hormuz transits data
Average daily transits (east and west bound) through the Strait of Hormuz.
Data is an average based on several available sources and is provided for general awareness only.
For previous graphics (month by month) please click here.
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Seafarers
IMO is deeply concerned about the wellbeing and safety of seafarers affected by the ongoing situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Around 20,000 seafarers, as well as port workers and offshore crews, are impacted in the region. While the disruption to global trade is significant, IMO’s primary concern remains the humanitarian and safety implications for seafarers on board ships operating in the area.
Support for seafarers and stranded ships
Resources and helplines: Supporting Seafarers
Testimonies
Watch testimonies from seafarers affected by conflicts here.
| Regional Contact Points | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | Capt. Adel Najat Email: adel.najat@mtt.gov.bh Tel: +97317337988 | |
| Iran (Islamic Republic of) | Contact the Vessel Traffic Service centre of the nearest Iranian port via VHF Ch 16. See NV 2181/2898106 | |
| Iraq | IRAQ SAR Center contact details Address: Al Faw Grand Port, Basra, Iraq. Longitude and latitude Location: 29° 50.710’ North – 048° 30.211’ East. Email: SAR@jak.net VHF Emergency Response Channel: International Channel 16. Local Emergency Phone Number: (525). International Emergency Phone Number: +9647864777823 Responsible Contact Person: SAR Manager, Mr. Matthew Evans | |
| Kuwait | Cdr. Abdulaziz Haidar
Email: abdulazizhaidar@moi.gov.kw Department Email: naval.agencies@moi.gov.kw | |
| Oman | Mohammed Abdullah Al Rawahi Director General of Maritime Affairs Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology Sultanate of Oman Email: Mohammed.Al-Rawahi@mtcit.gov.om Mobile: 00968 99569795 Nooh Salim Al Subhi Director of Navigation and Maritime Safety Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology Sultanate of Oman Email: Nooh.alsubhi@mtcit.gov.om Mobile: 00968 95080158 | |
| Qatar | Email: followupteammaritime@mot.gov.qa Tel: +974 40451574 | |
| Saudi Arabia | Flag State Matters: Email: stcw.seafarers@tga.gov.sa Port State Matters: Mr. Abdullah Alruzayq Mobile: +966 55 707 7773 Email: A.alruzyq@mawani.gov.sa Download CL 5159 (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), including Ship Provisioning Service Providers - East Coast Ports list with contacts | |
| United Arab Emirates | Captain Abdulla Darwish Al Hayyas Tel: +971 4 5274640 Email: abdulla.alhayyas@moei.gov.ae and shipping@moei.gov.ae | |
See also IMO GISIS: Contact Points
Highlighted incidents
Please find below a list of highlighted incidents that include deaths/injuries.
Full list of highlighted (confirmed) incidents
here.
AL BAHYAH (IMO 9937799) - 14 July - Two seafarer fatalities. Three seafarers injured.
MOMBASA B (IMO 9739501) - 14 July - Eleven seafarers injured.
GFS GALAXY (IMO 9401271) - 11 July - One seafarer fatality.
SETTEBELLO (IMO 9162916) - 9 June - Three seafarers fatalities.
CMA CGM SAN ANTONIO (IMO 9294173) - 5 May - Eight seafarers injured.
HMM NAMU (IMO 1039292) - 4 May - One seafarer injured.
VOLANS (IMO 9298856) / BADR (BARGE) - 2 May - One seafarer fatality.
MAYUREE NAREE (IMO 9323649) - 11 March - Three seafarer fatalities.
SAFESEA VISHNU (IMO 9327009) - 11 March - One seafarer fatality.
ARABIA III (IMO 8771332) - 7 March - One seafarer injured.
MUSSAFAH 2 (IMO 9522051) - 6 March - Four seafarer fatalities. Three severely injured.
STENA IMPERATIVE (IMO 9666077) - 1 March - One shipyard worker fatality. Two shipyard workers seriously injured.
MKD VYOM (IMO 9284386) - 1 March - One seafarer fatality.
SKYLIGHT (IMO 9330020) - 1 March - Four seafarers injured. Two seafarer fatalities.
Communications from Member States
Communications received and circulated by IMO can be found on
IMODOCS under "Circular Letters" (register as a public user to access). Available in the six official languages.
IMO Secretary-General statements
IMO Secretary-General condemns new attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz (8 July)
IMO pauses evacuation in Strait of Hormuz following attack (25 June)
Find all IMO Secretary-General statements
here.
Strait of Hormuz - shipping route
The existing Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Strait of Hormuz was proposed by Iran and Oman and adopted by IMO in 1968. It designates shipping lanes for maritime traffic in order to reduce collisions and improve safety.
 Traffic Separation Scheme in the Strait of Hormuz, IMO Ships’ Routeing publication |
Read more on ships routeing.
Resources and links
Non-exhaustive resources and links
Updates from UN Security Council
Impact on shipping and trade
Strait of Hormuz Disruptions: Beyond reopening: Lasting impacts on vulnerable economies (UNCTAD) (30 June 2026)
In Focus: FAO response to global food security challenges - Middle East Conflict in 2026 (FAO)
Update on the Global Agrifood Implications of the 2026 Conflict in the Middle East (VIDEO) FAO Chief Economist Full video. (FAO, 13 April 2026)
International Energy Agency (IEA) - The Middle East and Global Energy Markets
Warnings and advisories
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) - Latest incidents
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) - Advisories
INTERCARGO - Advice for Members regarding situation in Strait of Hormuz and Middle East
Download Best Management Practices (BMP) Maritime Security (2025)
Industry guidance and statements
Guidance for Vessel Transit through the Strait of Hormuz - ICS, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, IMCA, and OCIMF (20 May 2026)
- INTERTANKO
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World Shipping Council (WSC)