IMO urges de-escalation as Hormuz attacks deepens shipping crisis

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the latest attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and provided an update on the challenges facing shipping and seafarers in the region.

IMAGE: The International Maritime Organisation's headquarters in London. IMO

The statement follows reports that Iran attacked three commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, triggering US military retaliation and further escalating regional tensions.

“As long as the safety and security of crews cannot be assured, I urge flag States, shipowners, operators and all relevant authorities to avoid exposing seafarers to unnecessary danger by transiting the Strait,” Dominguez said.

“The situation in the region remains volatile. These attacks further intensify the fear, uncertainty and psychological strain already being endured by the nearly 6,000 seafarers who remain stranded onboard vessels unable to depart the Persian Gulf safely,” the IMO Secretary-General added.

Dominguez said the IMO's evacuation effort, originally aimed at assisting more than 11,000 seafarers across the region, had been temporarily suspended following an attack on a vessel. Despite the disruption, the organisation has successfully evacuated 136 vessels carrying a total of 2,900 seafarers via two alternative routes, as the existing Traffic Separation Scheme could not be used because of security risks, particularly the presence of sea mines.

He also highlighted the continued high cost of maritime insurance in the region, saying it is placing additional financial pressure on shipowners and operators.

“I call on all States concerned to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate the situation without delay, and facilitate the safe departure of the ships still trapped in the Gulf since the crisis began,” Dominguez appealed.

By Tuhin Roy

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