The head of the International Maritime Organization has signaled active engagement with key stakeholders to establish a safe transit framework for the Strait of Hormuz, following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
IMO Secretary-General Responds
As reported by Ship & Bunker, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued a public statement on Wednesday welcoming the ceasefire and confirming that work is already underway to develop an appropriate transit arrangement. “For the health and well-being of seafarers and the global shipping industry, I welcome the ceasefire announced in the Middle East,” Dominguez said.
The ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday and includes provisions for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Responding to the development, Dominguez confirmed his office has already begun coordinating with relevant parties. “I am already working with the relevant parties to implement an appropriate mechanism to ensure the safe transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” he stated, adding that “the priority now is to ensure an evacuation that guarantees the safety of navigation.”
Industry Bodies Add Their Voice
Support for the ceasefire has also come from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which has called for immediate and coordinated steps to restore safe vessel movements through the strait. In an emailed statement on Wednesday, ICS Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos said: “We welcome the conditional ceasefire between the United States and Iran and hope this signals a beginning of a return to stability in the region.”
Ship & Bunker notes that the ICS urged prompt, coordinated action to normalise traffic through the waterway, which remains one of the most strategically significant maritime chokepoints for global energy and trade flows.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
