IMO Council Demands Safe Passage Framework for Strait of Hormuz

The Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued a powerful condemnation of recent attacks on merchant shipping during an extraordinary session held in London. Addressing the escalating threats to commercial vessels and the rumored closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Council emphasized that such actions directly violate UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and pose an unacceptable risk to global trade and seafarer welfare.

A Call for International Strategic Coordination

During the session, the IMO Council stressed the urgent need for a unified international response to safeguard the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms. With merchant vessels increasingly caught in geopolitical crosshairs, the Council reiterated that international law must be respected to maintain the stability of global supply chains. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that "inaction is not an option" and calling for concrete steps beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric.

Prioritizing Seafarer Welfare and Safety

Central to the Council\'s deliberations was the protection of the men and women serving at sea. The IMO has issued several critical directives to Member States and regional stakeholders:

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• Immediate Cessation of Hostilities: A total halt to all attacks on ships involving innocent civilian seafarers.
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• Resource Provision: Ensuring ships currently unable to leave the region have continuous access to water, food, fuel, and medical supplies.
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• Crew Mobility: Facilitating crew changes and renewals in compliance with international standards to manage physical and mental fatigue.
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• Communication: Ensuring seafarers can maintain contact with their families during periods of restricted movement.
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The Council also highlighted technical risks, particularly the challenges masters face when navigating areas plagued by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) jamming and spoofing.

Establishing a Safe Passage Framework

Strategic Evacuation Measures

As a provisional and urgent measure, the Council has called for the establishment of a "safe maritime framework." This initiative is designed to facilitate the secure evacuation of merchant ships currently confined within the Gulf region due to the security climate. The primary goal is to prevent civilian vessels from becoming collateral damage in military escalations.

The Secretary-General’s Mandate

Secretary-General Dominguez has been directed to initiate immediate negotiations with all relevant parties to activate this humanitarian framework. "I am ready to start working immediately to evacuate all vessels and seafarers trapped," Dominguez noted, while emphasizing that the success of the mission depends entirely on the commitment and concrete actions of the involved Member States. For the industry, this represents a vital move toward de-escalating risks in one of the world\'s most critical maritime chokepoints.