SeaNews | The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has warned of growing risks to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and called for strict enforcement of international maritime safety regulations. However, the continuation of the war raises a fundamental question: Can the enforcement of regulations alone guarantee the safety of seafarers?
According to SeaNews, Arsenio Dominguez, in a statement issued on November 11, 2026, warned against the passage of vessels that fail to meet required standards, the concealment of IMO identification numbers, the use of false flags, and violations of the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). He called on flag States, port States, and coastal States to fulfill their legal responsibilities to prevent such violations.
According to the latest figures from the International Maritime Organization, as of November 10, 2026, a total of 133 shipping-related incidents had been confirmed in the region, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 seafarers.
Dominguez also emphasized that governments must take action to address the root causes of the crisis and reach a political solution, as the consequences of the war have not only endangered the lives of seafarers but also increased the cost of living for millions of people worldwide.
Nevertheless, the fundamental issue extends beyond compliance with technical standards for vessels. The IMO Secretary-General is expected not only to demand enforcement of maritime regulations but also to use the Organization’s diplomatic influence to increase pressure on the United States to end the war and halt actions that threaten the safety of commercial shipping.
Ensuring lasting security in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be achieved through technical vessel inspections alone. It requires an end to attacks, a reduction in military tensions, and the establishment of conditions in which commercial vessel crews, regardless of their nationality or the flag their vessels fly, can continue their professional duties in peace and with confidence.
Ultimately, the maritime industry’s most important demand of the International Maritime Organization is to make effective efforts to end the war and restore security to shipping routes, rather than merely managing the consequences of a conflict that continues to threaten the lives of seafarers.
