3,200 ships trapped west of Hormuz as IMO convenes emergency session

The Iran war has produced one of the largest maritime crises in modern history. Approximately 3,200 vessels carrying 20,000 seafarers are trapped west of the Strait of Hormuz, unable to transit due to Iranian anti-ship threats and ongoing military operations. The International Maritime Organization convened its 36th Extraordinary Council Session in London to establish a safe maritime corridor for vessel and crew evacuation from the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of global oil trade. Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf warned the strait will not return to pre-war status. CENTCOM struck Iranian coastal anti-ship missile sites with 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs to suppress the maritime denial threat.

Key facts

• •3,200 vessels with 20,000 seafarers trapped west of Strait of Hormuz
• •IMO C/ES.36 extraordinary session convenes March 18-19 in London
• •Goal: establish safe maritime corridor for Persian Gulf vessel evacuation
• •Hormuz carries ~20% of global oil trade — Iran threat driving energy price surge
• •CENTCOM struck Iranian anti-ship sites with 5,000-lb bunker-busters on Day 19
• •Iran Ghalibaf: strait will not return to pre-war status after conflict ends