Image for representation purposes only The head of the International Maritime Organization has warned that thousands of seafarers remain stranded aboard vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz after more than two months of disruption linked to Iran’s blockade of the strategic shipping route. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said only a “handful” of crew changes had been possible since Iran blocked passage through the strait on March 2, leaving around 20,000 seafarers unable to leave the Arabian Gulf. The crisis has already resulted in 38 confirmed attacks on ships and 11 seafarer deaths as of May 11, according to IMO figures. The agency said the continued disruption in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes was increasing pressure on global trade, energy supplies and regional maritime security. Speaking during the 111th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee in London, Dominguez described the situation as “deeply concerning” and said many crews were trapped aboard vessels operating in a high-risk environment. He said seafarers were facing sustained security threats, fatigue and severe psychological stress while remaining unable to rotate off ships due to the lack of replacement crews. Dominguez said finding replacement personnel had become increasingly difficult because many seafarers were unwilling to enter the region under current security conditions. The IMO chief said crews should not be pressured into sailing through the Strait of Hormuz while risks remained high. He confirmed reports that some shipmasters had faced pressure from companies to transit the waterway despite ongoing security concerns. The disruption has affected commercial shipping operations across the Arabian Gulf, with vessels unable to operate normally or complete standard crew rotation procedures. Ships cannot legally or operationally be left unmanned, requiring relief crews before existing personnel can disembark. Dominguez said the risk of a serious maritime incident woul