ShippingIndustrySoundsAlarmas20,000SailorsRemainTrappedinPersianGulf

(Athens, Greece) — As passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, leaving some 20,000 sailors trapped in the Persian Gulf, the global shipping industry is sounding the alarm over the rising threat to energy transport and supply-chain stability.

The crisis took center stage at Posidonia 2026, one of the world’s largest maritime exhibitions, which opened on Monday.

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, said at the opening ceremony that the Strait of Hormuz is currently unsafe for navigation, warning shipowners and operators against exposing crews to unnecessary risks.

Dominguez said roughly 20,000 sailors with no connection to the conflict have been stranded in the region for nearly four months. The IMO is in discussions with relevant governments to establish and implement evacuation corridors for the vessels and their crews, he said.

Since the conflict began, the IMO has verified 29 attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 seafarers.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Union commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, warned at the opening that the greatest danger now facing global shipping is that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz might gradually be accepted as a “new normal.” He said that securing the safety of seafarers must be an absolute priority for the EU, urging more robust communication with all stakeholders, particularly Iran.

Tzitzikostas described the Strait of Hormuz as one of the world’s most critical maritime arteries. The EU, he said, cannot accept navigation restrictions, transit fees or de facto “tolls” in international waters. Yielding on this issue would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the principle of freedom of navigation that has been established for decades, he added.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also addressed the gathering, noting that the events of recent months demonstrate how blocking just one vital maritime passage can drive up shipping costs, fuel global inflation and trigger shortages of energy and commodities. Greece will push to restore free navigation through the strait and opposes any additional economic burdens or passage fees, Mitsotakis said.

Greece is among the nations most directly exposed to the crisis. According to the latest annual report from the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek-controlled merchant fleet stands at nearly 5,800 vessels, accounting for more than 19% of global tonnage and 61% of the EU-controlled fleet. Mitsotakis noted that Greek-controlled tankers and liquefied natural gas carriers play a pivotal role in global energy distribution, making maritime security a matter of both Greek interest and European energy security and strategic autonomy.

Melina Travlos, president of the Union of Greek Shipowners, said maritime routes are not ordinary commercial channels but the “arteries” of the global economy. When shipping is disrupted, it affects the entire global economic system, not just a single sector, she said. Travlos called on governments to place shipping security at the core of strategic policy decisions and to prevent shipping and seafarers from being weaponized or targeted in geopolitical conflicts.

Beyond security, the industry’s competitive landscape and carbon-reduction policies were key talking points. Tzitzikostas said European shipping firms should not have to “pay twice” for emissions under both EU and IMO frameworks. Revenues generated from the shipping sector under the EU Emissions Trading System should be reinvested into clean fuels, new propulsion systems and future maritime technologies, he said.

Travlos and Mitsotakis also emphasized that while the shipping industry must advance its green transition, policies must align with the availability of alternative fuels, mature technologies, adequate infrastructure and a global level playing field. Mitsotakis said the transition must not destroy shipping competitiveness or drive up transport costs for consumers, adding that natural gas should still be viewed as a reliable transitional fuel.

Posidonia, which began in 1969 and is held every two years, runs through Friday at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens. Organizers said this year’s event has drawn 2,227 exhibitors from 83 countries and regions, with attendance expected to exceed 40,000 shipping professionals, making it the largest in its history.

China has a substantial presence at the exhibition. According to data obtained by Caixin from the event, 241 Chinese companies are participating, including China State Shipbuilding Corp., COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., China Merchants Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. and China Classification Society. Because Greek shipowners control more than 60% of the EU’s merchant fleet, they represent a critical customer base for Chinese shipyards, marine equipment manufacturers, green technology firms and ship-financing institutions looking to secure orders.

Additionally, affiliates of COSCO Shipping hold a 67% stake in the Piraeus Port Authority. As Greece’s largest port and a major gateway, the Port of Piraeus serves as a vital hub linking China to the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans and Central European markets. Bank of China established a branch in Athens in 2019, becoming the first Chinese financial institution authorized to operate in Greece, and has been active in providing ship financing to Greek shipping companies.