The IMO convenes to tackle rising tensions and ensure maritime safety in the Gulf amid escalating attacks on vessels and crew.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency responsible for maritime affairs, has initiated its 36th Extraordinary Session (C/ES. 36) today at its headquarters in London to discuss the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the risk of a de facto blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Focus of the Agenda: Ship and Crew Safety
The session, taking place on March 18-19, 2026, was convened in response to an urgent call regarding the increasing attacks on commercial vessels and the jeopardization of crew safety in the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. Key highlights from the meeting include:
Request for a Safe Corridor: Council members are discussing the proposal to establish a 'safe maritime corridor' for the evacuation of approximately 3,200 vessels and 20,000 seafarers stranded in the region.
Condemnation of Attacks: A group of member states led by the United Kingdom, France, and Germany presented a strong draft resolution condemning drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to transit.
Iran's Defense: The Iranian delegation argued that the instability in the region is a result of military operations by the United States and Israel, asserting that the crisis is an inevitable consequence of these actions.
Navigation Aids and GPS Jamming: Reports indicate that intense GPS jamming activities in the region have made civil navigation impossible and increased the risk of accidents.
Critical Data on the Strait of Hormuz Crisis
The Strait of Hormuz is known as the world's most critical waterway, through which approximately 25% of global oil trade and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass. As of March 14, it has been reported that commercial transits have nearly dropped to zero.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated, 'Any attack on innocent seafarers and civilian vessels is unacceptable. I urge member states to take concrete steps to reduce tensions in the region and restore freedom of navigation.'
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
