IMO Negotiating Evacuation Corridor for Seafarers

Summary

• 20,000 seafarers are stranded on approximately 2,000 vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran conflict, with daily vessel traffic plummeting from ~130 to only 2-5 ships.
• IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasizes de-escalation as the critical path to restoring normal trade and ensuring seafarer safety.
• Diplomatic negotiations are focused on establishing a humanitarian evacuation corridor, with Iran as a key party; operational traffic separation schemes have existed since 1968, but political will is lacking.
• US offers of military escorts are viewed as risky and unsustainable due to the narrow strait (~30 km wide) and persistent threat of drones/missiles; Dominguez prefers a diplomatic agreement.
• Seafarer welfare is deteriorating: supplies are running low, and mental health support is provided via 24/7 helplines and remote assistance from companies and countries.
• Cargo concerns include unstable perishable goods like fertilizer, but onboard seafarers manage these risks; evacuation corridors would prioritize ships with urgent needs.
• The shipping standstill has global trade implications, underscoring the necessity of freedom of navigation and avoiding seafarers as collateral damage.
• IMO is tracking limited ship movements and facilitating direct talks with all member states, including the US and Iran, to coordinate a solution.
• The situation highlights the fragility of key maritime chokepoints and the need for international cooperation to mitigate supply chain disruptions.