In a recent statement, the head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, declared that naval escorts in the Strait of Hormuz cannot guarantee 100% safety for vessels traversing the crucial waterway. This remark was made during an interview with the Financial Times, highlighting the severity of the ongoing maritime safety concerns in the region. Dominguez emphasized that military assistance is not a long-term or sustainable solution for ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait, underlining the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying issues causing distress in the area.

Dominguez referred to the ongoing conflict in the region, stating that the maritime sector is facing collateral damage from a crisis whose deeper causes are not directly related to shipping. He pointed to the troubling situation of vessels that are stuck in the Gulf, running low on food and supplies for their crews, which raises urgent humanitarian concerns. He urged ship operators to avoid sailing into the dangerous areas and to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their crews and ships.

The IMO is set to hold an emergency council meeting in London on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the impacts of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East on maritime safety and crews. This meeting aims to analyze the recent developments and their implications for shipping operations in the region, as many stakeholders express increasing concerns about the threats posed to maritime trade and the welfare of seafarers amidst rising tensions.