Extraordinary Session of IMO Council

The Middle East

The Secretary General of the IMO, His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez, opened this week’s extraordinary session of the IMO’s council by expressing his “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 at least seven seafarers have reportedly lost their lives, and several others have been severely injured.”

The IMO Council usually meets every 6 months, in order to oversee the business of the Organization. However, last week six members of Council requested an extraordinary session in order to address the impacts on shipping and seafarers of the situation in the Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman, and the Gulf Region, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

After two days discussing the issues as they affect ships and seafarers, the Council made a formal declaration as follows:

General Principles

The Council:

.1 reaffirmed its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and all relevant international conventions and agreements related to maritime safety, security and environmental protection;

.2 recalled the purposes of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as set forth in Article 1 of the IMO Convention, and the mission in the Strategic Plan of IMO to promote safe, secure and environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping through cooperation;

.3 recalled that United Nations Security Council resolution 2817 (2026), inter alia, condemned in the strongest terms the egregious attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the territories of the Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan, determining that such acts constitute a breach of international law, and further condemned any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, or threatening maritime security in the Bab Al Mandab, and affirmed that any attempt to impede lawful transit passage or freedom of navigation in these waterways constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security;

.4 further recalled United Nations Security Council resolution 552 (1984), which took into consideration the importance of the Gulf region to international peace and security and its vital role to the stability of the world economy;

.5 recalled the statements of the IMO Secretary-General of 1 March 2026 and 6 March 2026, which expressed his deep concern about reports of fatalities and the injuries to seafarers stemming from attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and underlined that all parties must ensure the protection of seafarers and the freedom of navigation;

.6 underscored the paramount importance of preserving the security of international shipping and the maritime community, as well as the energy and humanitarian supply chains; and also emphasized the need to preserve the marine environment and marine biodiversity;

.7 strongly condemned the egregious attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the territories, including the territorial waters, of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, which constitute a breach of international law;

.8 strongly condemned the threats and attacks against vessels and purported closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic of Iran, adversely affecting merchant and commercial vessels and threatening the safety and welfare of seafarers, which is contrary to the purposes of IMO as set forth in Article 1 of the Convention, and represents a grave danger to life and serious risk to the safety of navigation and the marine environment;

.9 demanded that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately refrain, in accordance with international law, from any actions or threats aimed at closing, obstructing or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz or against merchant or commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, to ensure the safety and welfare of seafarers and the security of international shipping and the marine environment, and to respect its obligations under international law; and

.10 reaffirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected.

Protection, safety and welfare of seafarers

The Council, expressing deep concern for the safety of seafarers:

.11 urged that all attacks on ships affecting innocent civilian seafarers be halted immediately;

.12 underscored the paramount importance of preserving the safety and welfare of seafarers;

.13 called upon Member States to take measures to secure the adequate provision of water, food, fuel and other essential supplies to ships currently unable to leave the region, and encouraged States to facilitate, when required, crew change and crew renewal operations in accordance with international standards, in order to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of the seafarers affected by this situation, further ensuring that their communication with their families and friends can be maintained and that stores and provisions remain adequate for their needs; and

.14 called for a coordinated international approach to the safety of navigation, that takes into account the fatigue and pressure of those on board, the master's overriding authority, as well as the risks associated with transiting the area while Global Navigation Satellite Systems suffer extensive jamming and spoofing.

Actions requested of the IMO organs and Secretariat

The Council:

.15 urged the IMO Committees to consider ways to enhance the efforts of Member States and observer organizations in supporting affected seafarers and commercial vessels, as well as the implications of this situation for the implementation of the Organization's instruments, take appropriate action, and report back to the Council, at its next session;

.16 requested the Secretariat to keep Member States regularly informed of the status of seafarers and of international shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz; and

.17 also requested the Chair of the Council and the Secretary-General to convey to all Member States and to the public its decisions, and to continue to closely monitor the situation in relation to threats and attacks to ships and seafarers operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

This declaration represents the commitment of the IMO in respect of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all seafarers.

The most important outcomes are yet to be seen … translating the calls to action above into tangible and positive effects for seafarers and the shipping community.