‘We can insure the ship, but we cannot insure a human life.’

In March 2026, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reported that approximately 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez highlighted the crisis, noting the difficulty in insuring human lives compared to ships. Canceled insurance policies, increasing mental strain on seafarers, and the danger to innocent individuals are driving urgent calls for a humanitarian corridor. The situation has prompted international appeals for de-escalation to protect the well-being of the stranded seafarers and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The IMO is advocating for measures to alleviate the suffering and risk faced by these maritime workers.