Industry groups and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have issued statements following attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, expressing concern for the welfare of seafarers and warning shipping companies to exercise caution.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the European Shipowners’ Association (ESCA), and the Asian Shipowners’ Association stressed that the wellbeing of seafarers and civilians remains the foremost priority.
“All parties must take all necessary steps to safeguard the safety of seafarers who are simply going about their job and have found themselves, through no fault of their own, in a highly volatile situation,” the statement read.
The groups urged operators to rely only on verified information and to follow Best Management Practices (BMP) for maritime security.
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IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, echoed the concern, saying: “I am deeply concerned by reports that several seafarers have been injured in attacks on merchant vessels. No attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is ever justified. These crews are simply doing their jobs and must be protected from the effects of wider geopolitical tensions.”
He reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation under international law and advised shipping companies to exercise maximum caution, avoiding the affected area where possible.
Dominguez also called on stakeholders to remain vigilant against disinformation and to rely on verified sources when making operational decisions.
Both industry groups and the IMO emphasised that the safety of crews is paramount and that the situation remains fluid, requiring constant monitoring by ship operators.
In line with these warnings, major carriers including Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Maersk have already taken precautionary operational measures, rerouting or suspending services to minimise exposure to the Strait of Hormuz.
For more information:
International Maritime Organization (IMO) – https://www.imo.org/
