IMO Calls for Stronger SOLAS Enforcement in Strait of Hormuz

IMO Calls for SOLAS Enforcement in Hormuz

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged governments to enforce international safety rules in the Strait of Hormuz. According to gCaptain, he issued the statement on Wednesday, November 11, and cited vessels transiting the strait without meeting basic requirements under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Incidents Since February

The IMO has verified more than 130 incidents involving merchant vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on February 28, 2026. As of November 10, the organization’s records listed 133 confirmed incidents, with at least 25 seafarers killed and others missing or injured.

Dominguez said regulatory failures add to the security threats vessels face in the Persian Gulf. “IMO’s technical and operational regulations are there to protect seafarers, ships and the marine environment. They must be respected and enforced effectively,” he said.

Substandard Vessels and False Flags

The IMO chief cited reports of substandard vessels in the strait, ships concealing their IMO identification numbers, and vessels sailing under fraudulent registrations or false flags. Dominguez called on flag states, port states, and coastal states to enforce existing rules within their jurisdictions and in line with international law. He also addressed commercial operators: “I strongly urge shipowners and operators to refrain from commercial activities in the Strait that expose seafarers to unacceptable risks.”

IMO Council Backing

The statement followed the IMO Council’s meeting in London from November 2–6. Member states called for stronger protections for seafarers and reiterated that critical shipping lanes must remain open, safe, and secure. The Council condemned attacks on merchant shipping and urged governments to avoid unlawful measures that put seafarers and navigation at risk.

Dominguez repeated his call for a political resolution to the conflict. He urged governments to restore a safe, internationally recognized framework for navigation through the strait that preserves established rights and freedoms of passage. He said the conflict contributes to higher living costs worldwide and called it “imperative for Governments to tackle the root causes of this conflict.”

What This Means for Owners and Operators

For shipowners and managers with vessels transiting, or considering transit through, the Strait of Hormuz, the IMO statement adds a compliance issue to the security risks. Reports of concealed IMO numbers and fraudulent registrations indicate that some vessels in the area may not be verifiable through normal channels. This can raise counterparty and insurance risk for charterers or owners dealing with unfamiliar tonnage in the region.

The statement also calls on flag states and port states to use their enforcement powers. Owners considering transits, or assessing counterparties and tonnage linked to Gulf trades, can revisit vessel vetting and technical due diligence. Documentation integrity and class and flag verification remain relevant alongside physical safety measures in a high-risk corridor.