Shipping leaders welcome US-Iran agreement

A statement from the IMO says that Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez welcomes “with great satisfaction” the peace agreement reached between the parties in the conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz.

“This signals a crucial return to peace, dialogue, multilateralism and diplomacy, and in particular, an important step toward restoring safety in this vital maritime corridor for seafarers and ships, as well as safeguarding the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.”

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest sympathies for all victims of the conflict, paying particular tribute to the innocent seafarers affected and to their families. Their courage and resilience in the face of prolonged uncertainty deserve the highest recognition.

The agreement also allows IMO to advance its plan to evacuate the thousands of seafarers stranded in the area. The Organization is working in close collaboration with Member States and partners to implement this plan safely and effectively. However, its implementation will require time to ensure that all necessary safety and security guarantees are in place, the IMO points out.

IMO reaffirms its commitment to maritime safety, the protection of seafarers, the freedom of navigation, and the continued free flow of global trade.

International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Thomas Kazakos said: “This announcement comes as a relief to the 20,000 seafarers who have been caught in the middle of this war. Their safe departure from the region must be a top priority but will take time. 

“With around 500 ships needing to pass through the Strait to exit the area this will require coordination.  The International Maritime Organization has a crucial role, working alongside industry and states in the region, to ensure this is done as safely and as quickly as possible. 

“The fundamental principle of freedom of navigation has been sidelined during the war, and many seafarers have regrettably been injured or lost their lives. As we now hopefully move towards peace, we must see a permanent return to vessels being able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz unimpeded without paying a toll or other clearance mechanism.”

INTERTANKO also issued a statement welcoming the agreement, saying it “should bring a welcome relief to all seafarers in the region. Too many of them have been killed and injured in this conflict, and our thoughts are with them and their families.”

Whilst INTERTANKO awaits clarifications on the administrative and practical arrangements governing the Strait of Hormuz, it says it would expect that all parties should recognise that the free flow of the world’s trade and right of transit passage must be reinstated at the earliest point. 

INTERTANKO Managing Director Tim Wilkins commented: “We urge the US and Iranian administrations to collaborate in ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is free from the threat of mines, while split navigation between the so-called Omani and Iranian routes should be halted. Freedom of navigation must be reintroduced using the internationally recognised Traffic Separation Scheme.”

Commenting on next steps, INTERTANKO Marine Director Phillip Belcher said, “As this agreement is not due to be signed until Friday 19th June, for ships that need to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a cautious approach should be undertaken. The industry has developed guidelines for use in the event of the Strait reopening, and these should be consulted. A ship-specific risk assessment must be undertaken as detailed in the guidance.”  The guidance can be accessed on the INTERTANKO website.

The statement concludes: “As we look to the future, INTERTANKO trusts that the Strait of Hormuz can never again be used as a weapon, nor that innocent seafarers be caught up in geopolitical conflicts that are none of their making, but which they bear the deadly consequences.”