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 committed to safe passage and welfare of maritime workers. The IMO Council has called for a halt to attacks on ships and urged Member States to ensure the continuous provision of water, food, fuel and other essentials to stranded ships.  

IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez is engaging with relevant parties. 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

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

Regional Contact Points
Kingdom of Bahrain	Capt. Adel Najat Email: adel.najat@mtt.gov.bh Tel: +97317337988
Kingdom of 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
Republic of 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
State of Kuwait	Cdr. Abdulaziz Haidar Email: abdulazizhaidar@moi.gov.kw Department Email: naval.agencies@moi.gov.kw
State of Qatar	Email: followupteammaritime@mot.gov.qa Tel: +974 40451574
Sultanate of 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
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

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.

20 April 2026

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 has proposed a plan for evacuation of ships (east-bound).

The proposed 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. The framework utilizes the eastbound traffic lane of the existing, agreed-upon traffic separation scheme (further explanation below). IMO has worked closely with relevant states and industry partners to develop a list of affected vessels. This list will be maintained by the IMO as part of the oversight of the framework. Prior to the implementation of the plan, all parties to the conflict must agree to refrain from any attacks on maritime assets in the region during the evacuation and ensure all military assets remain clear of transiting vessels.

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

Highlighted incidents

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

Full list of highlighted (confirmed) incidents here.

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. One seafarer fatality. One seafarer missing.

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.