Speaking at the France-UK Summit on Freedom of Navigation, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, issued an urgent appeal for the protection of global shipping and the immediate safe passage of thousands of seafarers currently trapped in the Persian Gulf.
The ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has created a mounting humanitarian crisis. Secretary-General Dominguez revealed that approximately 20,000 innocent seafarers and nearly 2,000 vessels are currently immobilized in the region.
“Shipping and seafarers should never be used as leverage in geopolitical conflicts,” Dominguez stated. “Any disruption to shipping represents a global interference to energy and food security.”
The Secretary-General reaffirmed that the principle of freedom of navigation is non-negotiable. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the IMO maintains that:
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International Straits: Cannot be closed by bordering states.
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Illegal Levies: There is no legal basis for countries to impose tolls, fees, or discriminatory conditions on transit through these straits.
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Established Corridors: The mandatory traffic separation scheme, jointly operated by Oman and Iran since 1968, must be respected to ensure safety of life at sea (SOLAS).
In response to the crisis, the IMO Council has authorized the development of a technical evacuation framework. This plan aims to utilize existing maritime corridors to securely extract ships and crews from the conflict zone as soon as safety conditions permit.
The IMO is currently coordinating technical and operational details with regional partners, including Iran and Oman, and stands ready to implement the framework without delay.
Mr. Dominguez called upon France, the United Kingdom, and the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts and support the following objectives:
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Diplomatic Pressure: Uphold freedom of navigation and reject illegal transit tolls.
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Evacuation Support: Provide technical and civilian assistance to operationalize the IMO’s evacuation plan.
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Hazard Clearance: Prepare to assist in clearing mines and other maritime hazards to restore safe commercial passage.
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Economic Stability: Ensure the shipping sector has access to reasonable insurance costs to allow for the resumption of normal global trade.
