Idea floated of using cruise ships to evacuate thousands of seafarers from Gulf

A leading cruise line executive has floated the idea of using cruise ships that are trapped in the Persian Gulf to evacuate thousands of seafarers stranded by the Middle East conflict.

“We have five ships stuck in the Gulf for the time being,” said executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise division, Pierfrancesco Vago. “We have been talking with IMO, pushing the idea that there are a lot of seafarers who could be moved out of the Gulf by just using these five passenger ships.”

Mr Vago revealed the idea during the opening panel at Seatrade Global Cruise 2026. He said the situation in the Middle East was very fluid and had delayed repositioning MSC Euribia, leading to the cancellation of its planned itineraries in Northern Europe.

Mr Vago said MSC had repatriated all passengers and is maintaining the 6,300-passenger cruise ship with minimal crew.

MSC Euribia and five other cruise ships operated by TUI Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, and Aroya Cruises that are stranded in the Gulf could offer approximately 17,000 passenger berths.

IMO has been working to secure safe passage for an estimated 20,000 seafarers who are trapped on commercial vessels behind the Strait of Hormuz. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged member states to support a diplomatic solution to evacuate the mariners. According to IMO, seafarers who remain on board vessels in the Persian Gulf face the prospect of food shortages, fatigue, and severe mental stress.