THE International Maritime Organization (IMO) decries the new and mounting attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, incidents that are reported to escalate the collapse of last month’s US-Iran memorandum of understanding to end the war and reopen the Strait.
IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez lamented that he, once again, had to “speak out following attacks on commercial ships and innocent seafarers due to geopolitical circumstances beyond their control.”
“I condemn the attacks over the past two days against several ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. These reckless attacks have again placed innocent seafarers in grave danger. No seafarer should have to risk their life simply for doing their job,” Dominguez said in an official statement posted on IMO’s webpage.
Last Saturday, a Cyprus-flagged container ship was attacked by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One crew member went missing and the vessel reportedly was unable to continue its journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage.
The US Central Command, in retaliation, launched a new round of strikes on approximately 140 Iranian military targets.
Dominguez urged Flag States, ship owners, operators, and all relevant authorities to avoid exposing seafarers to unnecessary danger by transiting the Strait.
“The situation in the region remains volatile. These attacks further intensify the fear, uncertainty and psychological strain already being endured by the nearly 6,000 seafarers who remain stranded on-board vessels unable to depart the Persian Gulf safely.
“I call on all States concerned to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate the situation without delay, and facilitate the safe departure of the ships still trapped in the Gulf since the crisis began,” Dominguez explained, adding that the safety of seafarers must remain to be the industry’s foremost priority.
Based on reports, the escalation of exchange fires between US and Iran follows a week of mounting attacks on commercial ships such as the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged tanker Wedyan, and the Liberia-flagged Cyprus Prosperity.
President Donald Trump has since declared the ceasefire agreement effectively over.
