Radio National Breakfast IMO calls emergency meeting over Gulf crisis
Mar 16, 2026
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, leads the UN agency that regulates international shipping. He discusses the scale of disruption to thousands of ships and seafarers. He warns about supply shortages and navigational risks in the Strait. He outlines calls for de-escalation, freedom of navigation and urgent action to protect seafarers and keep trade moving.
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Global Supply Shock From Gulf Shipping Disruption
- The Gulf disruption affects over 2,000 trapped vessels and about 20,000 seafarers, creating global supply impacts beyond oil.
- Arsenio Dominguez links the disruption to higher oil prices and downstream cost increases for goods like fertilisers and agriculture.
Call For De escalation To Restore Shipping Confidence
- De-escalation and respect for freedom of navigation are needed to restore confidence for ships and owners to resume transit.
- Dominguez warns commercial shipping and seafarers must not be used as collateral in geopolitical conflicts.
Avoid The Region And Support Trapped Vessels
- Vessels not yet in the west side of the Strait should avoid the region to reduce risk and congestion.
- Dominguez emphasises urgent support for ships inside the Gulf facing shortages of food, water and fuel.