The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for urgent de‑escalation and stronger protections for seafarers as attacks on merchant vessels linked to the Iran conflict continue to spread across the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Opening an extraordinary session of the IMO Council, Secretary‑General Arsenio Dominguez said the situation had become "unacceptable and unsustainable," with at least seven seafarers reported killed and several more injured in recent strikes.
"Any attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is totally unacceptable. They must not become victims of broader geopolitical tensions," he said.
Dominguez warned that about 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on vessels inside the Persian Gulf, facing heightened risks and mounting psychological strain as the conflict widens.
He then urged shipping companies to exercise the "utmost caution" and avoid the affected region where possible.
The IMO Secretary‑General also pressed member states to work toward immediate de‑escalation and to ensure crews can safely exit the Gulf.
"Time is short and we all bear a serious responsibility towards the affected seafarers," he told delegates of the extraordinary session of the IMO Council on March 17, calling for practical measures to safeguard crews and ensure navigational safety.
Dominguez also cautioned governments and industry against misinformation, urging reliance on verified, authoritative sources as operational decisions become increasingly complex.
The IMO has launched a dedicated webpage to provide updated, vetted information on the evolving security situation.
"Shipping has demonstrated time and time again how resilient it is, but geopolitics are testing the sector to the limit," Dominguez said, noting that disruptions in the region threaten global supply chains, food security and freedom of navigation.
The Council met in London to assess the impact of the conflict on shipping and seafarers and to consider proposals aimed at improving safety in the region.
