IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged member states to assist in addressing the dire situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 20,000 seafarers are trapped. In a recent briefing, he reported several vessels have been seized, highlighting the dangers posed by potential mines and ongoing threats to maritime safety. Dominguez emphasized the urgent need to release the seafarers, stating, “they are not at fault,” and warned that the situation is deteriorating, leaving no safe transit options in the area.
Since the onset of the conflict, the IMO has verified 29 attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and significant damage to ships. With the conflict now in its eighth week, supplies of essential resources like food and water on board are dwindling. Dominguez acknowledged regional support in providing provisions and called on flag states, NGOs, and industry bodies to extend assistance, including mental health support for affected crews who feel undervalued and isolated.
The IMO is developing an evacuation plan for seafarers, contingent on safe conditions and mutual agreement among conflicting parties to cease attacks on maritime assets. Dominguez highlighted the importance of using the internationally recognized traffic separation scheme (TSS) as a potential evacuation corridor and expressed gratitude for the support of countries like France and the UK in this effort.
