The IMO Council has issued an emergency condemnation of attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for a coordinated global response to safeguard maritime security. Following an extraordinary session in London on March 18-19, 2026, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez was directed to establish a “Safe Passage Framework” to evacuate trapped ships and seafarers.
London | March 19, 2026 – In a high-stakes extraordinary session at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters, the 40-member Council has issued a condemnation of the escalating threats and attacks on merchant shipping in the Middle East. Following two days of deliberation (March 18–19, 2026), the executive organ of the IMO warned that the purported closure of the Strait of Hormuz and strikes against civilian vessels represent a “grave danger to life” and a direct violation of international law.
The session, convened under the shadow of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, saw more than 120 Member States unite in a plea for international coordination to safeguard the global energy supply chain and the lives of those manning it.
A Humanitarian Crisis at Sea
The Council expressed profound alarm over the welfare of approximately 20,000 seafarers currently trapped or operating under extreme duress in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Reports of fatalities and severe injuries have turned the region into a high-risk zone, compounded by extensive GNSS jamming and spoofing that threatens navigational safety.
In a direct appeal to regional powers and the international community, the Council urged:
- Immediate Cessation of Hostilities: An end to all attacks affecting innocent civilian seafarers.
- Essential Supplies: Ensuring that ships unable to leave the region are provided with water, food, and fuel.
- Crew Welfare: Facilitating crew changes and maintaining communication lines between mariners and their families.
The “Safe Passage Framework”
The centerpiece of the session’s outcome is a directive to establish a Safe Maritime Framework. This provisional measure is designed to facilitate the urgent evacuation of merchant vessels currently confined within the Gulf.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez has been tasked with leading negotiations to implement this humanitarian corridor. Speaking to the gravity of the mission, Mr. Dominguez signaled his readiness to engage with all parties but stressed that success hinges on political will.
“I am ready to start working immediately in negotiations to establish a humanitarian framework to evacuate all vessels and seafarers trapped. However, for this to materialize, I will need the understanding, commitment and, above all, the concrete actions from all relevant countries and stakeholders,” said Secretary-General Dominguez.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez
In his closing remarks to the Council, Secretary-General Dominguez delivered a somber yet resolute call to action, emphasizing that the maritime industry cannot remain a silent victim of geopolitical conflict:
“At the outset, I must first express my grave concern and deep sadness regarding the recent attacks on merchant ships in the region of the Strait of Hormuz, as a result of which seafarers have reportedly lost their lives, and several others have been severely injured. My thoughts are with these seafarers. Despite these challenges, they continue to perform their duties with professionalism and resilience.“
“I will never get tired of repeating myself when I say that any attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is totally unacceptable. They must not become victims of broader geopolitical tensions. Let it be the responsibility of each and every one of us to demonstrate that inaction is not an option, that words alone are not sufficient. Together, we can drive the change required to protect the wellbeing of those who have no voice and safeguard the principle of freedom of navigation.”
About the IMO Council
The IMO Council is the executive organ of the International Maritime Organization and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization. It consists of 40 Member States elected by the Assembly for two-year terms. The Council performs most of the functions of the Assembly between its biennial sessions, including the preparation of the budget and work program.
This 36th Extraordinary Session (C/ES.36) highlights the Council’s role in addressing urgent threats to international maritime trade and safety, ensuring that the voice of the global shipping industry is heard at the highest levels of international diplomacy.
Source: International Maritime Organization