Middle East

Information related to shipping and seafarers - Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East.

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This page provides (non-exhaustive) relevant information and links.

IMO Secretary-General statements

IMO Secretary-General states that seafarers must not be targets, following reports of seafarer fatalities in the Middle East. Read the full statement here (6 March 2026).

Previous IMO Secretary-General statement here (1 March 2026).

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, along with cruise ship passengers, 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. Seafarer resources here.

Highlighted incidents

Please find below a list of highlighted incidents that include death/injuries.

Full list of highlighted (confirmed) incidents here.

  • 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. One seafarer fatality. One seafarer missing.

Impact on shipping

Non-exhaustive links: