There are many cases of ships transiting the Strait without complying with fundamental provisions of treaties such as the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, has called for stronger action from IMO Member States to enforce maritime safety and security regulations in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Amid continued attacks against commercial ships in the area, Secretary-General Dominguez stated:  

“IMO’s technical and operational regulations are there to protect seafarers, ships and the marine environment. They must be respected and enforced effectively. There are too many cases of ships transiting the Strait without complying with fundamental provisions of treaties such as the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)."

The IMO conventions set out the responsibilities.

He expressed concerns about reports of substandard vessels, vessels covering their IMO number, ongoing transits of ships that are fraudulently registered or under false flags, and other unsafe practices. 

"I call on all flag States, port States and relevant coastal States to exercise their responsibilities under IMO conventions and take measures to address violations, within their respective jurisdictions, and in accordance with international law. 

I strongly urge shipowners and operators to refrain from commercial activities in the Strait that expose seafarers to unacceptable risks. Governments must tackle the root causes of this conflict, which has also increased the cost of living for millions of people worldwide,” he stated.

Related:    IMO carbon plan could lift Panamax bill to €136,000 by 2030

Urged Member States to pursue political solutions

Following the recent decisions of the IMO Council, Secretary-General Dominguez urged Member States to pursue political solutions to restore a single, safe and internationally recognized framework for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz that preserves the rights and freedoms of navigation.  

The Strait of Hormuz 

Notably, the Strait of Hormuz has been a geopolitical pressure point for over 40 years. However, today's war has prompted a broader question that extends beyond the conflict: can international law regulate economic warfare at sea in an era of globalised commerce? The current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz shows that legal frameworks governing maritime chokepoints have their limits when it comes to military coercion targeting the infrastructure of global trade.

• More about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz

#Strait of Hormuz #IMO #SOLAS # Arsenio Dominguez# IMO conventions  #maritime rules #