UN leads Task Force to safeguard shipping and humanitarian corridors

The humanitarian consequences of the conflict in the Middle East continue to intensify, marked by casualties, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and an increasing strain on the global economy.

Since the onset of the conflict on 28 February 2026, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has verified 21 attacks on commercial shipping, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers and leaving several others seriously injured. An estimated 20,000 civilian seafarers remain stranded aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf, where they face dwindling supplies, mounting fatigue and severe psychological strain.

Amid these deteriorating conditions, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called on States to intensify diplomatic efforts to facilitate the evacuation of those stranded and to establish humanitarian corridors to deliver urgent assistance. 

Speaking during a virtual meeting of foreign ministers from more than 40 countries—hosted by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to address the escalating situation in the Strait of Hormuz—Dominguez urged all parties to uphold the principles of safe navigation. He emphasized that safeguarding the rights, freedoms and wellbeing of seafarers must remain a paramount concern.

Fragmented responses are no longer sufficient to resolve this crisis. What is urgently required is diplomatic engagement, practical and neutral solutions, and coordinated international action. 

…said Arsenio Dominguez. 

Following an extraordinary session of the IMO Council on 18-19 March 2026, IMO has undertaken key actions: 

Safe passage for seafarers

Ongoing discussions are being held by the IMO Secretary-General and representatives from the relevant States on the development of a safe passage framework to evacuate seafarers currently stranded in the Persian Gulf. 

Support from coastal States

IMO is engaging States in the region that have stepped forward to secure supply lines to ships and facilitate humanitarian access for seafarers. Focal point information is available on IMO’s dedicated webpage. 

Data collection and verification

The IMO website features an online hub that includes verified information on ship attacks, guidance from key industry bodies and international partners, contacts for stranded seafarers, as well as resources related to the global economic impact. 

Supporting industry coordination

IMO maintains close communication with industry bodies (BIMCO, ICS, ITF, INTERTANKO, WSC and others) to share information and coordinate action where necessary.

Furthermore, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, highlighted that the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime trade is choking the movement of oil, gas, and fertiliser at a critical moment in the global planting season.

Tanker traffic has also dropped by more than 90 per cent, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is threatening agricultural production and global food security.

According to UNCTAD, around one third of the world’s seaborne fertilizer trade—about 16 million tonnes—transits the Strait of Hormuz. This underscores growing concerns over fertilizer access for some of the world’s poorest countries, with potentially serious consequences for food security and agricultural production in vulnerable regions. Developing economies, in particular, remain highly exposed to such disruptions.

“The crisis is causing the most significant global humanitarian supply chain disruptions since COVID-19 and the onset of the war in Ukraine,” the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) added.

With the conflict showing no signs of stopping, the United Nations Secretary-General this week announced two important initiatives:

• the appointment of an envoy to spearhead UN peace efforts and
• the establishment of a dedicated Task Force on the Strait of Hormuz.

UN Task Force on Strait of Hormuz 

The Task Force will work to ensure safe, orderly and reliable transit for humanitarian purposes through the critical maritime corridor.

As explained, it will be headed by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services around the world. 

Representatives from UN trade body UNCTAD, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Chamber of Commerce will also be on board.

Our focus is to facilitate the trade of commercial fertilisers and the movement of related raw materials. We are standing by to support this lifesaving operation. 

…Moreira da Silva said in a statement posted on X.

Moreover, operationalisation of the mechanism will be done in close consultation with relevant Member States with full respect for national sovereignty and established international legal frameworks, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

The Task Force draws inspiration from other UN initiatives, including the Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen, the former Black Sea Grain Initiative on exports from Ukraine, and the UN Special Mechanism for Gaza aid delivery outlined in Security Council resolution 2720 (2023). 

If successful, it would also create confidence among Member States on the diplomatic approach to the conflict and constitute a valuable step towards a wider political settlement. 

…Dujaricc noted.

The UN Secretary-General also named veteran French diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy to lead UN efforts on the Middle East conflict and its consequences. He warned that the conflict was “out of control”, reiterating his call on the United States and Israel to stop the war, and for Iran to stop attacking its neighbours.

It is time to stop climbing the escalation ladder – and start climbing the diplomatic ladder, and return to full respect of international law. 

…the UN Secretary General highlights. 

The envoy has nearly 40 years of experience in international diplomacy, especially in the field of peaceful settlements and mediation, and has led UN missions in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Most recently Arnault served as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Afghanistan and Regional Issues.

source : safety4sea