The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued a stark warning to commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, advising them to remain stationary and avoid maneuvering.
The directive comes as the UN agency initiates a large-scale evacuation of hundreds of ships and approximately 11,000 seafarers from the Persian Gulf region.
The move is a direct response to escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, which have raised fears of mine deployment and chaotic conditions in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
The warning underscores the acute operational risk facing global trade routes.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil consumption, and any disruption to transit can trigger immediate volatility in energy markets.
By instructing ships to "not move," the IMO is effectively signaling that the corridor is currently unsafe for normal commercial operations, potentially leading to delays, rerouting, and higher insurance premiums for tankers and bulk carriers.