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ConflictIMO chief warns shippers to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions
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The head of the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, urged ship owners and operators not to risk transiting the Strait of Hormuz due to heightened volatility and security threats. The warning follows a recent uptick in attacks, including Iran striking two UAE-managed oil supertankers, and U.S. military strikes and a naval blockade to halt Iranian oil exports. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reaffirmed a 'severe' threat level, warning of increased IRGC monitoring, possible vessel diversion to Iranian-controlled routes, and congestion near anchorages. The IMO also rejected a short-lived proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 20% fee on cargo value for U.S. guardianship of the strait, reaffirming that passage should remain free under international law.
Source report
Navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains too dangerous for ship owners and operators to risk transiting the chokepoint, the head of the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Wednesday.
"I will maintain the message of upholding international law, for countries to do the same thing, and for companies — at this stage, particularly with the volatility — not to take risk to transit through the Strait of Hormuz," IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez told Bloomberg Radio.
Escalating Security Concerns
The IMO and other maritime security organizations have been warning for nearly a week that the Strait of Hormuz is once again too dangerous for shipping. This follows three weeks of steady increases in tanker and container traffic, which had given oil and equity markets a short-lived reprieve from heightened security concerns in the region.
That reprieve ended abruptly late last week, and tensions further intensified early this week after:
- Iran struck several commercial vessels, including two UAE-managed oil supertankers on Tuesday
- The U.S. carried out three rounds of strikes on Iran
- The U.S. reinstated a naval blockade to stop Iranian oil exports
IMO Reaffirms Free Passage
The IMO's Council earlier this week "reaffirmed that passage through the Strait should remain free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law, including the IMO Convention." This statement came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to demand a 20% fee of cargo value for the U.S. acting as the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump abandoned this idea less than 24 hours after floating it on his Truth Social platform.
Severe Threat Level Maintained
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reaffirmed on Tuesday its regional threat level for the Strait of Hormuz at "severe," which it had raised last week after the first signs of the ceasefire collapse emerged.
"The regional maritime security threat level remains SEVERE with further deliberate hostile activity likely under current conditions," JMIC said.
"Mariners should expect sustained naval presence, increased IRGC hailing and monitoring along transit routes, and possible diversion of AIS-equipped vessels to the northern Iranian-controlled route. Enhanced force protection measures, increased VHF hailing, and congestion near anchorage areas should also be anticipated."
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
Source
OilPrice.com Daily News UpdateWestern
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