The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has urged states to support diplomatic efforts to secure the evacuation of around 20,000 seafarers still stranded in the Persian Gulf, and enable humanitarian corridors for urgent assistance.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called on all parties during a virtual meeting for Foreign Ministers from more than 40 countries hosted by the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, to respect the rights and freedoms of navigation and stressed the paramount importance of the safety and wellbeing of seafarers.
He emphasized the need for de-escalation and operational maritime solutions rather than purely military approaches.
"Fragmented responses are no longer sufficient to resolve this crisis. What is urgently required is diplomatic engagement, practical and neutral solutions, and coordinated international action," Dominguez said following the meeting.
"IMO is advancing a maritime evacuation framework built on coastal State cooperation, security guarantees and operational coordination, with the clear objective of releasing stranded vessels, enabling safe crew rotations and preventing an environmental disaster," he added.
Since the beginning of the conflict on February 28, 2026, IMO has confirmed 21 attacks on commercial shipping to date, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers with several more severely injured.
Around 20,000 civilian seafarers remain aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf, facing dwindling supplies, fatigue and severe psychological stress.
Following the extraordinary session of the IMO Council held on March 18–19, 2026, the Organization has moved quickly to implement several critical measures. The IMO Secretary‑General is actively engaging with relevant States to develop a safe‑passage framework aimed at evacuating seafarers currently stranded in the Persian Gulf. At the same time, IMO is working with coastal States in the region that have offered support to secure supply lines and ensure humanitarian access, with focal‑point information available on the Organization's dedicated webpage.
To support transparency and coordination, IMO has also launched an online hub featuring verified data on ship attacks, guidance from key industry partners, contact information for stranded seafarers, and resources outlining the broader economic impact. The Organization continues to maintain close communication with industry bodies such as BIMCO, ICS, ITF, INTERTANKO, and WSC to facilitate information‑sharing and coordinated action where needed.
IMO said it is also a member of a new dedicated Task Force established by the UN Secretary-General to work on technical mechanisms specifically designed to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Task Force is led by Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and includes representatives from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and others, alongside IMO.