Stalled Gulf Fleet Could Trigger Global Marine Invasions, Scientists Warn
Scientists warn that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has left about 1,500 ships idle, allowing hulls and ballast water to accumulate marine life that could hitchhike to ports worldwide when shipping resumes. This could trigger a marine bio-invasion ‘super-spreader’ event, threatening ecosystems, fisheries, and power-plant cooling systems. The Gulf’s warm, salty conditions may boost invasives; ports from India to Singapore are seen as high risk. The study urges pre-departure ship cleaning, stronger port monitoring, and rapid-response plans, with the IMO pursuing binding biofouling rules. Early detection and prevention are urged, mirroring infectious-disease containment.
