UN body pushes solutions to Middle East shipping disruptions

The International Maritime Organisation has convened an emergency meeting in London to address mounting risks to global shipping caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, amid growing concern for thousands of vessels and seafarers stranded in affected waters.

According to a report by France24, opening the two-day session at the organisation’s headquarters, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called for “practical measures” to safeguard commercial shipping routes and ensure the safety of crews operating in high-risk zones.

The IMO, which oversees international maritime safety regulations, is expected to focus discussions on ways to mitigate the escalating disruption to shipping operations. The crisis has intensified fears over blocked or unsafe routes, particularly affecting traffic linked to the Persian Gulf.

The organisation’s 40-member council is scheduled to consider several draft resolutions, with a vote anticipated on Thursday, March 19. Among the proposals is a plan to establish a secure maritime corridor aimed at enabling the safe evacuation of both seafarers and vessels currently stranded in the Persian Gulf.

Dominguez emphasised the broader implications of the crisis, noting that while the shipping industry has repeatedly proven its resilience, current geopolitical tensions are pushing it to its limits. He warned that when shipping becomes collateral damage in conflicts, the consequences are felt across the global economy.

By Tamilla Hasanova