IMO discusses crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran imposes its own maritime corridor.

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has gained a new dimension, with signs that Iran is already imposing a maritime corridor under its control on the ground, at the same time that the International Maritime Organization is discussing ways to respond to the escalation of tension in that strategic route.

According to advanced information, several ships leaving the Gulf have been channeled through a narrow strip between the islands of Qeshm and Larak, in a passage particularly exposed to Iranian surveillance. Although there has not been, for now, a formal announcement about this corridor, operational signs of its use have become more visible. The same source says that Iranian authorities would be negotiating with foreign governments the phased departure of ships stuck in the Gulf, allowing a limited number of vessels to pass at a time. Before transit, detailed documentation will be required for each vessel, followed by visual inspection during the crossing.

In parallel, the IMO brought together Member States at an emergency summit in London, where proposals for a neutral corridor were discussed to allow the safe departure of ships and humanitarian cargo. At the meeting, calls were also heard again to protect freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers who continue to be exposed to the worsening conflict. What is at stake is no longer just military tension in one of the most sensitive passages in the world, but also the operational and political impact that could result from a strait conditioned by a corridor controlled by one of the parties involved. For international maritime transport, uncertainty is growing in an essential artery for global trade.

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