Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf region as Iran continues to selectively permit passage through the Strait of Hormuz, demanding payment and providing no clear criteria for safe transit, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The IMO held a special session Thursday to address the escalating crisis, calling for the establishment of a “safe maritime framework” to evacuate vessels and crews trapped in the Persian Gulf. Though, Iranian representatives declined to outline the conditions for securing passage through a proposed humanitarian corridor, leaving the fate of thousands of sailors uncertain.
Since the beginning of the conflict on February 28, shipping traffic through the Strait – a critical waterway for global oil and gas transport supplying roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil – has been drastically reduced. Only 21 tankers have transited the route, compared to more than 100 daily before the war, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
While Iran maintains a tight grip on the strait, a limited number of vessels have been allowed to pass, primarily those with ties to China. Dozens of ships have broadcast locations referencing Chinese ownership or crew presence while operating in the Gulf, apparently seeking safe passage, according to maritime analysts.
Reports indicate Iran is now implementing screening processes and charging substantial transit fees. One tanker was reportedly billed approximately $2 million for passage, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The selective nature of these approvals has raised concerns about a de facto blockade, squeezing shipping traffic to a trickle.
Roughly 400 vessels are currently operating in the Gulf of Oman, creating a significant backlog as ships wait near the choke point. Many vessels are holding positions outside the Strait, leaving thousands of seafarers stranded. Some companies are exploring alternative routes, but these options are limited and significantly more costly.
China has expressed support for the proposed security corridor in principle, but has requested further clarification on its implementation. The United States previously pressured allies to send warships to reopen the strait after crude prices spiked above $100 a barrel, but those efforts have not yielded a resolution.
As of Friday, March 20, 2026, Iran has exported well over 16 million barrels of oil since the beginning of March, with China remaining the largest buyer, despite Western sanctions. Approximately 90 ships, including oil tankers, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war, many utilizing “dark” transits to evade Western oversight, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
The IMO’s Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, stated he is “ready to start working immediately in negotiations to establish a humanitarian corridor,” but the lack of response from the Iranian delegation leaves the prospect of a swift resolution in doubt.
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