International Maritime Organization: Necessity of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has stressed the need to reach practical solutions and activate a new cooperation mechanism to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, particularly as at least 70 international cargo vessels have been attacked since last February, resulting in the deaths of 19 seafarers.

In a statement, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said, “Since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East region at the end of last February, approximately 400 ships carrying 6,000 seafarers have been unable to cross the strait safely.”

Dominguez warned of “the seriousness of the short- and long-term repercussions of this crisis,” noting that disruptions to vital supply chains for fuel, fertilizers, and other goods have consequences for communities and economies around the world.

In this regard, he called on all member states and the shipping sector to work with the IMO and the United Nations system as a whole to push for practical solutions to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.