IMO Holds Emergency Meeting Amidst Middle East Shipping Crisis

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) convened an extraordinary session on March 18-19, 2026, to address escalating concerns over shipping safety in the Middle East, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting comes as attacks on commercial vessels increase, threatening global trade and the safety of thousands of seafarers.

Growing Concerns and Attacks on Shipping

Around 20,000 seafarers are currently impacted by the situation, operating on approximately 3,200 vessels in the region . At least 21 ships have been hit, targeted, or reported as having been attacked since the start of the conflict, according to data compiled from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the IMO, and authorities in Iraq and Iran.

Recent incidents include:

• SAFESEA VISHNU (IMO 9327009) – March 11, 2026: One seafarer fatality.
• ARABIA III (IMO 8771332) – March 7, 2026: One seafarer injured.
• MUSSAFAH 2 (IMO 9522051) – March 6, 2026: Four seafarer fatalities, three severely injured.
• STENA IMPERATIVE (IMO 9666077) – March 1, 2026: One shipyard worker fatality, two seriously injured.
• MKD VYOM (IMO 9284386) – March 1, 2026: One seafarer fatality.
• SKYLIGHT (IMO 9330020) – March 1, 2026: Four seafarers injured, one fatality, one missing.

IMO Council Meeting and Proposed Resolutions

The IMO Council, comprised of 40 member states, is considering several resolutions to address the crisis. These include a proposal to “establish a safe maritime corridor to allow the safe evacuation of seafarers and ships stranded in the Persian Gulf” . However, it’s important to note that any resolutions passed by the IMO are non-binding.

The meeting, open to all 176 IMO member states, as well as NGOs and maritime industry bodies, is focused on the impact on shipping in the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman, and the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz .

Differing Perspectives on the Crisis

Several nations have urged the IMO to condemn attacks by Iran on neighboring countries and the threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Britain, France, Germany, and Gulf states have called for a strong declaration against these actions .

Iran, in its submission to the IMO, attributed the deteriorating maritime security environment to attacks by Israel and the United States, stating that the repercussions for shipping are a “direct and inevitable consequence” of these actions .

Calls for Safe Evacuation and International Coordination

Japan, Panama, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates have requested the IMO’s assistance in establishing a framework for the safe evacuation of ships and seafarers from the Gulf . Maritime industry bodies have also called for a coordinated international approach to security, prioritizing seafarer welfare.

About the International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), established on March 17, 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating maritime transport . Headquartered in London, the IMO aims to ensure safe, secure, and environmentally sound shipping .