The International Maritime Organization is holding an extraordinary meeting in London about the crisis's impact on international shipping. The two-day meeting is fully focused on safety at sea.
The meeting was prompted by recent attacks on merchant ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz. These incidents have caused widespread unrest in the maritime sector worldwide.
Crews
According to various reports, such attacks have also caused casualties among seafarers. Crew members have died, and others have been seriously injured.
Promotion
Much attention is going to the protection of crews. The sector is calling on the principle that seafarers must never be targeted and that their safety should come first.
The tensions are taking place around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime routes. A large part of global oil trade passes through this narrow sea passage.
Warships
At the same time, the United States is trying to form an international coalition to protect shipping in the region. President Donald Trump has asked other countries to send warships to the region to escort vessels.
So far, this call has not produced broad and clear support. Several countries have responded cautiously to Trump’s request and have yet to make any concrete commitments.
Meanwhile, uncertainty for international shipping remains high. Shipping companies and maritime organizations warn that the safety of crews and the free passage of ships in the region are under serious pressure.