UN Security Council convenes to protect maritime trade

April 29 ------ The UN Security Council convened on “The Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain,” under the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security.”

The UN Security Council heard urgent appeals to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after disruptions since early March were highlighted to be harming global energy security, food supplies, and trade. Speakers condemned the use of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints as a “bargaining chip” and an illegal assault on shipping, seafarers and the global economy.

António Guterres appeals to all parties to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the situation is affecting a key maritime chokepoint that handles about one-fifth of global oil trade and nearly one-third of internationally traded fertilizers, calling its use as a “bargaining chip” illegal and damaging to shipping and the global economy.

He said the economic shock is already being felt worldwide, with rising costs leading to delays in essential deliveries and risks of “empty fuel tanks, empty shelves and empty plates.” Guterres further cautioned that prolonged disruption could escalate into a global food crisis, potentially pushing millions in regions like Africa and South Asia into hunger and poverty.

Arsenio Dominguez reinstates IMO’s position

Addressing the UN Security Council, IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, emphasized that maritime security standards have been developed and continuously strengthened since the 1980s, but stressed that current geopolitical tensions are testing the resilience of the global shipping system.

He pointed to the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz as having “a very negative effect on seafarers and shipping, and on the global population and economy,” noting that approximately 20,000 seafarers and nearly 2,000 vessels are currently trapped in the Persian Gulf due to heightened insecurity. "Any disruption to shipping represents a global interference to energy and food security," he warned, underscoring the critical role maritime routes play in sustaining global supply chains.

Dominguez firmly reiterated that the “principle of freedom of navigation is not negotiable,” adding that international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, clearly prohibits the closure of international straits or the imposition of discriminatory tolls and transit fees. “In this respect, I call upon States to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation; and reject an imposition of tolls, fees or discriminatory transit measures for the passage through a strait used for international navigation," he highlighted, and cautioned that any deviation from established maritime principles would set “a negative precedent” and undermine the stability of global shipping operations.

The IMO chief also pointed to the existence of a long-standing traffic separation scheme in the Strait of Hormuz, established in 1968 and jointly operated by Oman and Iran, which has ensured safe navigation for decades under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

Turning to immediate humanitarian concerns, Dominguez said the IMO is developing an evacuation framework aimed at safely extracting vessels and seafarers from the conflict zone, using the existing maritime corridor. He noted that preparations are underway in cooperation with regional states, including Iran, alongside supporting countries involved in ongoing discussions. However, he stressed that implementation would proceed only when conditions allow for safe execution.

Calling for international cooperation, Dominguez urged states to:

• Support the IMO’s plan to facilitate the evacuation of affected seafarers;

• At the appropriate time, assist with the clearance of any hazards to the commercial ships navigating in the Strait of Hormuz, including mines;

• Provide any technical and operational civilian assistance to operationalize the evacuation framework; and

• Ensure practical assurances to the shipping sector, including access to insurance at reasonable costs, to enable the resumption of normal operations as soon as practicably possible.

He further commended regional states for facilitating essential supplies and supporting crew welfare, and urged continued efforts to enable safe crew changes when possible. "Shipping and seafarers should never be used as leverage in geopolitical conflicts," he said, concluding is speech in the UN Security Council with call for de-escalation to restore freedom of navigation and stabilize global supply chains.

Key themes addressed

Among the several themes addressed during the UN Security Council, some key items include:

#1 Strait of Hormuz: legality, security, and freedom of navigation

• United States: Said Iran is “weaponizing” global waterways through attacks, threats, and tolls, violating international law and Security Council resolution 2817 (2026)*; stressed maritime routes are not “bargaining chips.”

• United Kingdom: Emphasized “freedom of navigation” must be protected; warned global stability depends on collective action and diplomacy.

• Bahrain: Warned maritime security is increasingly urgent; said international silence on Iran’s actions encourages further escalation.

• United Arab Emirates: Stated Iran must compensate for damages caused by illegal actions.

• Iran: Argued the Strait lies within its territorial waters; accused the US and Israel of aggression and “piracy,” and justified measures as self-protection.

• Qatar: Called for implementation of UNSC resolution 2817 (2026); stressed protecting maritime corridors and freedom of navigation.

• Pakistan: Supported diplomacy between Iran and the US; warned prolonged disruption would drive inflation and disproportionately harm developing countries.

*Adopted on March 11, 2026, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026) condemned Iran’s “egregious attacks” against the Gulf states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) and Jordan during the 2026 Iran war. It also condemned Iran’s attacks on ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

#2 Global economic and humanitarian impact

• Liberia: Said maritime insecurity is becoming strategic, not incidental; warned smaller economies bear the highest cost when stability is disrupted.

• Panama: Condemned attacks on Panamanian-flagged ships; warned no maritime route should be used for coercion or pressure.

• Singapore: Highlighted dependence on global shipping lanes; warned disruption of transit passage could severely impact global trade and energy flows. Furthermore, Singapore supported IMO declaration on navigational rights; stressed legal importance of UNCLOS transit passage regime.

• Qatar & Pakistan: Emphasized inflation, growth risks, and disproportionate impacts on developing countries.

#3 Maritime security beyond the Strait of Hormuz

• Philippines (ASEAN): Emphasized safety of seafarers as a priority, noting ASEAN’s large global maritime workforce.

• Japan: Warned focus on Hormuz should not obscure tensions in the Indo-Pacific; opposed coercion and stressed rule of law at sea.

• Ukraine: Said Russia’s war severely compromises Black Sea navigation through attacks on ports, shipping, and mining of sea areas.

• Russian Federation: Accused Western states and Ukraine of maritime attacks; blamed US-Israeli actions for escalation and defended restrictions as security measures.

#4 Emerging maritime threats

• Greece: Said artificial intelligence can strengthen maritime security as a “force multiplier” when used under international law to improve monitoring and coordination.

• Portugal: Called for protecting critical maritime infrastructure (including submarine cables) and shifting the UN approach from crisis response to preventive engagement.

• European Union: Warned “shadow fleet” vessels threaten safety, the marine environment, and sanctions enforcement; linked them to sustaining Russia’s war economy and outlined extensive EU naval operations across multiple regions.

• Argentina: Stressed UNCLOS guarantees freedom of transit; said blocking maritime transit by a coastal state is a serious violation and called on Iran to allow passage.

• Japan: Reiterated that Hormuz tensions must not obscure Indo-Pacific disputes; opposed coercion and reaffirmed support for a rules-based maritime order.

Source: safety4sea.com