Six nations have proposed to the International Maritime Organization that a safe maritime corridor be set-up to allow the safe evacuation of seafarers and ships from the Persian Gulf.
IMO Secretariat documents state that as of about 13 march 2026 there are about 3,200 vessels confined to the west of the Strait of Hormuz with about 20,000 seafarers affected.
However, although that is very serious, the broader situation is far more grave.
In their submission to the IMO, the nations of Bahrain, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates note that the military escalation in the region has disrupted global supply chains far beyond the region.
“The impact on lifesaving humanitarian work being provided by the United Nations will be immense, and millions of people are at risk… flight and maritime disruptions have slowed the movement of goods and personnel, putting humanitarian supplies at risk of six-month delays, and the global supply chains are under strain”.
The six nations have urged the creation of a safe maritime corridor to facilitate the safe evacuation of merchant ships from the high-risk and affected areas to a safe place, with particular attention to those currently confined within the Gulf.
“This measure aims to protect the lives of seafarers and ensure the mobilization and commercial navigation of vessels intending to use this framework by avoiding military attacks and protecting and securing the maritime domain,” the statement says.
The IMO Council subsequently included this call in its communique.
