Stranded seafarers remain trapped as Hormuz shipping stalls

As the Iran-US war continues, the key question remains unanswered about how shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will be managed in future – although the UN has reiterated that charging tolls for safe passage runs contrary to international law.In brief:Hormuz shipping remains almost completely halted.6,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard 500 ships.Tolls for safe passage illegal international law.Higher energy prices lift global trade values.In an update, the UN International Maritime Organization – IMO – has told UN News that “very few ships, if any” are actually sailing across the narrow waterway, following renewed attacks on vessels since hostilities resumed on 12-13 July.IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed deep concern for the 6,000 seafarers still trapped on around 500 ships moored in the Persian Gulf behind the strait. “We need to remember that these are innocent people who are trained to do the work, that they are not trained for combat, and the vessels are not prepared to defend themselves against missiles and drones,” he said. Seafarers play a crucial role in global trade all around the world and without them, “shipping will not operate”, the IMO chief insis...