‘Irresponsible shipowners’ risk seafarers’ lives to keep sailing Hormuz: IMO

 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez says about 6,000 sailors remain trapped in the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel war on Iran began.

“Too many vessels have been attacked, particularly in recent days. Seafarers have continued to perish in these attacks,” he told Fox News Digital. “The message is not to transit the Strait of Hormuz.”

Dominguez said an increase in vessels using fraudulent registration and false flags to move cargo is contributing to the escalation. He accused “irresponsible shipowners” of risking crews’ lives to continue trading.

Strikes have come from all parties to the war, and identifying who hit a vessel is sometimes difficult, he added.

Dominguez called for negotiations and safety guarantees before ships and crews are put at risk. “Merchant seafarers are not trained for combat,” he said.