DUBAI: At least 20 sailors and port workers have been killed and 35 wounded in 68 maritime incidents recorded in the Gulf and neighbouring waters over the past six months, according to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The incidents, which occurred amid the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, have placed the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters at the centre of growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important energy routes.
The IMO, the United Nations’ maritime agency, said the 68 confirmed incidents represented an average of one incident every 2.6 days during the six-month period. One person was also reported missing.
Six months of war: 20 dead in 68 incidents near Hormuz, IMO says https://t.co/E7XdARjXVQ
— The Straits Times (@straits_times) August 25, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global oil and gas shipments, has seen numerous commercial ships targeted during the conflict.
Around half of the incidents involved tankers, while container ships accounted for about 20 per cent and bulk carriers for roughly 15 per cent, highlighting the broad impact on commercial shipping.
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The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors maritime security incidents in the region, classified 47 of the 68 incidents as attacks.
Liberia-flagged ships were the most frequently affected, featuring in 13 incidents, followed by ships registered under the flags of Panama and the Marshall Islands, with 10 incidents each.
The figures underscore the growing risks faced by commercial shipping operating through the Gulf and adjacent waters, where heightened military tensions have disrupted maritime traffic and raised concerns over the security of a critical global trade route.
