The fragile balance of global trade has come under renewed strain as the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, issued a stark warning to the United Nations Security Council: the principle of freedom of navigation is “not negotiable.” His remarks, delivered during a high-level open debate on maritime safety, highlighted the growing risks in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways—the Strait of Hormuz—and called for urgent international cooperation to prevent further escalation.
Dominguez’s address comes against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical tensions in the region, which have already disrupted maritime traffic and placed thousands of seafarers in precarious conditions. Approximately 20,000 crew members aboard nearly 2,000 vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, caught in a conflict that has transformed a critical trade corridor into a zone of uncertainty. The situation, he warned, extends far beyond regional implications, posing a direct threat to global energy supplies and food security.
At the heart of Dominguez’s message was a firm defense of international maritime law, particularly the long-standing principle that straits used for international navigation must remain open and accessible to all vessels. He stressed that no nation has the legal authority to impose tolls, fees, or discriminatory measures on such waterways, and that any attempt to do so would undermine decades of established norms governing global shipping.
“Ships must be allowed to trade worldwide unhindered and in accordance with international law,” he said, cautioning that deviations from these principles would set a dangerous precedent. Such actions, he added, could erode the stability of shipping operations worldwide, introducing uncertainty into an already volatile global economy.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a critical artery for global oil exports and commercial shipping. Since 1968, it has been governed by a traffic separation scheme established by the International Maritime Organization to ensure safe navigation. This system, jointly operated by Oman and Iran under the framework of the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea, has historically allowed vessels to pass through the strait in an orderly and secure manner.
However, the current conflict threatens to disrupt this carefully maintained system. Dominguez noted that while the regulatory framework remains in place, the safety of seafarers has become the organization’s primary concern. The presence of hazards, including the potential deployment of mines, has further complicated navigation and heightened the risks faced by commercial vessels.
In response, the International Maritime Organization has begun developing an evacuation framework aimed at safely extracting stranded ships and crews from the conflict zone. This plan leverages the existing traffic separation scheme and is being designed in collaboration with regional stakeholders, including Iran, as well as other nations supporting diplomatic efforts.
Dominguez emphasized that the framework is ready for implementation but can only be activated once conditions on the ground allow for safe passage. In the meantime, he urged member states to provide both technical and operational support to ensure the plan’s success when the opportunity arises.
Beyond evacuation efforts, the Secretary-General called on states to prepare for the eventual clearance of maritime hazards in the strait, including mines that could endanger commercial shipping. He also highlighted the importance of restoring confidence in the shipping sector by ensuring access to insurance at reasonable costs, a key factor in enabling the resumption of normal operations.
The human dimension of the crisis featured prominently in his remarks. Seafarers, often overlooked in geopolitical conflicts, have found themselves on the frontlines of this unfolding situation. Dominguez expressed deep concern for their well-being and called for continued support from regional countries in providing essential supplies and facilitating crew changes whenever possible.
“Shipping and seafarers should never be used as leverage in geopolitical conflicts,” he said, underscoring the need to protect those who play a vital role in sustaining global trade.
His appeal extended to a broader call for de-escalation, emphasizing that stability in the Strait of Hormuz is not only a regional priority but a global necessity. With supply chains already under pressure from multiple disruptions in recent years, any prolonged interference in this key waterway could have cascading effects on economies worldwide.
The Security Council debate, held under the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security,” reflects growing international concern over the safety of maritime routes. As tensions persist, the challenge facing global leaders is to balance strategic interests with the imperative to uphold international law and protect the integrity of global trade systems.
Dominguez’s message was clear: the rules governing the world’s oceans are not optional, and their erosion would carry consequences far beyond any single region. The Strait of Hormuz, long a symbol of both cooperation and contention, now stands at a crossroads. Whether it remains a conduit for global commerce or becomes a flashpoint for deeper instability will depend largely on the actions taken in the days and weeks ahead.
For now, the fate of thousands of seafarers and the stability of critical supply chains hang in the balance, as the international community grapples with a crisis that underscores the enduring importance of maritime security in an interconnected world.
