IMO Urges Ships to Avoid Strait of Hormuz Amid Attacks

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged commercial ships to avoid transiting the Strait of Hormuz and trading in the region following a surge in attacks. Between October 5 and 11, 12 attacks were reported, the highest weekly figure since the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran began in late February. Since the start of the conflict, more than 110 vessels have been hit and at least 24 seafarers have died.

Recent data from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations suggests the scale of these attacks is likely undercounted because many targeted vessels refuse to report incidents. The organization recorded the loss of the Singapore-flagged containership GFS Pride and noted that commercial traffic has dropped to approximately 70% below pre-conflict levels. Currently, the IMO is supporting roughly 6,000 seafarers trapped in the region.

U.S. Central Command disputes the severity of the disruption. Admiral Brad Cooper asserts that the United States and its regional partners maintain firm control of the waterway, reporting approximately 400 transits over a recent seven-day period. Conversely, the Iranian army maintains that the strait will remain closed until the rights of the Iranian people are respected, as Iran continues to strike vessels in the region.