Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has emphasized that there is no commercial justification for endangering the lives of seafarers. He cautioned shipowners and masters that the Strait of Hormuz should not be considered safe for commercial navigation and highlighted the necessity of conducting thorough and realistic risk assessments during voyage planning.
Dominguez expressed growing concern over reports of vessels attempting to transit the Strait without credible security guarantees, despite the well-documented risks and recent incidents that have resulted in casualties and detentions among seafarers. He noted that the current geopolitical situation remains unstable, making safe passage impossible without reliable security assurances.
The responsibility for voyage planning, according to Dominguez, lies with both the ship’s master and the company, which must adhere to established safety and security management frameworks. He stressed that no operational or commercial factors can justify exposing seafarers to such significant dangers, asserting that their safety must always be the top priority.
He urged all stakeholders to act responsibly and reiterated the need for all parties to avoid actions that could jeopardize the safety of innocent civilian seafarers. The IMO estimates that around 20,000 seafarers, along with port and offshore workers, are affected in this volatile region.
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