Doha: The International Maritime Organization revealed today that around 1,500 ships remain stranded in the Gulf due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28. Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization Arsenio Dominguez said during remarks in Panama that there were currently about 20,000 crew members and roughly 1,500 ships trapped in the Gulf. He noted that maritime shipping transports more than 80% of all products consumed worldwide.

According to Qatar News Agency, addressing a group of industry leaders and maritime organization representatives, Dominguez added that the stranded crew members are innocent people carrying out their jobs every day on behalf of other countries, but are trapped because of geopolitical circumstances beyond their control.