Shipping executives in Athens emphasized that any U.S.-Iran peace deal must establish clear regulations for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. At the Capital Link conference, part of the Posidonia shipping exhibition, industry leaders voiced their concerns about ongoing tensions affecting maritime operations.
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, highlighted the need for guarantees of safety in the Strait, noting that a potential ceasefire could facilitate the safe evacuation of seafarers from conflict zones. Pankaj Khanna, President of Heidmar Maritime Holdings, stressed the importance of a regulatory framework to ensure safe passage, sharing the plight of a vessel stranded in the Gulf for three months, impacting crew members’ family lives.
Greek Shipping Minister Vasilis Kikilias acknowledged the unpredictability of conflict resolution but insisted on the necessity of free maritime passage for global trade. Evangelos Marinakis, Chairman of Capital Maritime, expressed hope for a swift resolution, while George Procopiou of Dynacom Tankers asserted that freedom of navigation must not be compromised. Yiannis Procopiou, CEO of Centrofin Management, cautioned that despite available insurance, navigating the Strait remains risky without clear engagement rules.
