Stranded Strait of Hormuz ships risk invasive species 'biological apocalypse'

Many big ships got stuck in a narrow ocean passage called the Strait of Hormuz.

They stayed there for a very long time, much longer than usual.

While the ships waited, tiny sea animals like barnacles and mussels started growing on the bottoms of the ships.

Normally, ships move too often for these creatures to settle.

But because the ships sat still in warm water, the animals had plenty of time to attach themselves.

When the ships finally sail away, these tiny passengers will travel to new oceans.

In those new places, the creatures may take over and hurt the fish and animals that already live there.

Some of them might even spread diseases.

Scientists studied this problem and published a warning in a science journal.