The current situation in the Strait of Hormuz has proven to be “quite a challenge” for the global shipping industry, according to Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

“We have 20,000 seafarers stranded inside the Strait of Hormuz and around 2,000 vessels that are not able to sail,” Dominguez tells Al Jazeera.

“Of course, the longer that those ships stay there, the longer that the crews continue to suffer the stress, mentally, and the fatigue, as well as the reduction of all the supplies that they need for the ships to continue to operate,” he adds.

The IMO head further says that insurance companies are refusing to bear the burdens or costs of losses, with most either cancelling contracts or charging significant premiums.

A humanitarian crisis is being averted on those ships at the moment due to the aid relief being provided by countries around the strait, Dominguez has said, adding that the IMO is pushing for a humanitarian corridor to allow ships to exit the area.