Closure of the Strait of Hormuz may trigger a bioinvasion super-spreader event

The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are causing substantial humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical impacts and disrupting global trade. While the human and economic effects remain the focus of most immediate concern, a pending ecological crisis is also unfolding. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2026, stranded an estimated 1500 ships in the Persian/Arabian Gulf, with hundreds more anchored in the Gulf of Oman. Prolonged stationary periods lead to substantial biofouling penalties for ships, as marine microbes, algae, and invertebrates rapidly colonize and grow on submerged surfaces. This accumulation not only impairs vessel operations but also creates significant environmental risks. A major concern is the high likelihood that these idle ships will facilitate the extensive spread of economically and ecologically damaging invasive species as they re-enter the global shipping network. Given the unprecedented scale and duration of this mass lay-up of ships, conditions are primed for a large-scale, marine bioinvasion “super-spreader” event as regular maritime trade in the region resumes. The combination of extensive biofouling growth and species accumulation, and the sheer number, size, and global reach of affected vessels, has created an immense international biosecurity threat. Here, we highlight the biosecurity risks arising from the closure of the Strait and provide recommendations to mitigate them. We urge relevant stakeholders worldwide, including ship operators, port authorities, and environmental managers, to prepare now for the backlog of ship biofouling management requirements and to implement appropriate actions to abate this extraordinary biosecurity threat.

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Publication Details

Journal
Biological Invasions
Published
2026-07-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-026-03893-5
Primary Topic
Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz may trigger a bioinvasion super-spreader event

Mario N. Tamburri, Linsey E. Haram, James T. Carlton, Andrew L. Chang et al.
Biological Invasions
Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
article

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz may trigger a bioinvasion super-spreader event

Mario N. Tamburri, Linsey E. Haram, James T. Carlton, Andrew L. Chang, Chad L. Hewitt, Sarah C. Donelan, Christopher Scianni, Okko Outinen, A. Whitman Miller, Ian Davidson, THOMAS W. THERRIAULT, Evangelina Schwindt, Carolyn K. Tepolt, Gregory M. Ruiz, Jim R. Muirhead, Alejandro Bortolus, Lisa A. Drake, Amy E. Fowler, Amy L. Freestone, Tamara B. Robinson, April M. H. Blakeslee, Bella Galil, Susana Carvalho, João Canning-Clode
article en

Abstract

The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are causing substantial humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical impacts and disrupting global trade. While the human and economic effects remain the focus of most immediate concern, a pending ecological crisis is also unfolding. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, 2026, stranded an estimated 1500 ships in the Persian/Arabian Gulf, with hundreds more anchored in the Gulf of Oman. Prolonged stationary periods lead to substantial biofouling penalties for ships, as marine microbes, algae, and invertebrates rapidly colonize and grow on submerged surfaces. This accumulation not only impairs vessel operations but also creates significant environmental risks. A major concern is the high likelihood that these idle ships will facilitate the extensive spread of economically and ecologically damaging invasive species as they re-enter the global shipping network. Given the unprecedented scale and duration of this mass lay-up of ships, conditions are primed for a large-scale, marine bioinvasion “super-spreader” event as regular maritime trade in the region resumes. The combination of extensive biofouling growth and species accumulation, and the sheer number, size, and global reach of affected vessels, has created an immense international biosecurity threat. Here, we highlight the biosecurity risks arising from the closure of the Strait and provide recommendations to mitigate them. We urge relevant stakeholders worldwide, including ship operators, port authorities, and environmental managers, to prepare now for the backlog of ship biofouling management requirements and to implement appropriate actions to abate this extraordinary biosecurity threat.

Biological InvasionsVol. 28(8)
Smithsonian Institution (US), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (CA), University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (US), George Mason University (US), Tel Aviv University (IL), University of Rhode Island (US), Lincoln University (NZ), East Carolina University (US), Stellenbosch University (ZA), Madeira Tecnopolo (PT), Finnish Environment Institute (FI), Mystic Seaport (US), Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagónico (AR), Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (US), Cawthron Institute (NZ), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (US), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (SA), Drake University (US)
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
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