Published on: 2026-04-27
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Since the end of February, when the USA and Israel began striking Iran, up to 20 thousand sailors have been “blocked” in the Persian Gulf on approximately two thousand ships. They cannot safely pass through the narrow maritime corridor.
UN News Service: What does maritime security mean?
Arsenio Dominguez: Maritime security includes the protection of ships, ports, sailors, and maritime infrastructure from any threats, such as piracy, terrorism, and cyberattacks.
For coastal states, this also means combating illegal activities related to the sea: arms and drug trafficking, illegal trade in wildlife, oil theft, human trafficking, smuggling, and the illegal dumping of toxic waste.
UN News Service: Why is maritime security so important?
Arsenio Dominguez: Maritime security is extremely important as it protects global trade, ensures the safety of sailors, and supports the functioning of supply chains. Without it, the development of the maritime sector halts, and without the development of the maritime industry, sustainable development as a whole is impossible.
UN News Service: What threats has the crisis in the Hormuz Strait demonstrated?
Arsenio Dominguez: He showed that courts and crews are especially vulnerable in conflict zones and often become instruments of pressure in geopolitical disputes.
Commercial vessels have been subjected to unjustified attacks, detentions, and threats, which clearly demonstrates how fragile the freedom of navigation can be.
UN News Service: What measures can protect sailors?
Arsenio Dominguez: Information exchange plays a key role. Disinformation can seriously complicate the planning of routes considering the risks.
Shipowning companies and operators must necessarily conduct a risk assessment before passing through conflict zones.
Diplomacy and conflict de-escalation are decisive. Military escort of vessels can only be used to a limited extent and is not a sustainable solution.
UN News Service: How have maritime security threats changed in recent years?
Arsenio Domínguez: From a historical perspective, one of the significant terrorist acts was the hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in October 1985.
The events of September 11, 2001, in the USA raised the issue of the vulnerability of ships and the possibility of their use for terrorist purposes.
The problem of piracy and armed robberies began to be actively discussed at the IMO since the late 1980s, when the number of incidents in Asia sharply increased.
At the beginning of the 2010s, attention was focused on piracy off the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden, in the western part of the Indian Ocean, and in the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa.
Today cooperation, development of potential and exchange of information are more important than ever.
UN News Service: What new threats are emerging and how vulnerable is the shipping industry?
Arsenio Dominguez: Among the new challenges are cyberattacks on navigation systems, cargo operations and ports, sabotage of submarine cables, pipelines and port infrastructure, drone attacks on ships, as well as risks associated with autonomous vessels.
Moreover, the increasing sophistication of criminal groups in the supply chain creates additional complexities for global trade.
UN News Service: How much harder is it becoming to protect courts and sailors?
Arsenio Dominguez: In recent years, international shipping and sailors are increasingly being drawn into geopolitical conflicts in which they are not guilty.
Ships under different flags and crews of different nationalities are under threat.
Drones and surface vessels are under attack, with the attacks targeting civilian merchant ships that have no means of defense.
Civilian sailors are not participants in combat operations and must never become targets.
UN News Service: Which other maritime corridors are vulnerable in the conflict zone?
Arsenio Dominguez: Key global maritime routes include the Suez Canal, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Hormuz Strait, Malacca and Singapore Straits, Bosphorus, Dardanelles and the Sea of Marmara, as well as the Panama Canal.
Any disruptions in this region can have serious consequences for global trade and food security.
UN News Service: What is the role of the UN?
Arsenio Dominguez: IMO collaborates with international partners to help countries strengthen their capabilities for threat preparedness, prevention, and response.
This work includes the implementation of international safety standards, effective information exchange, regional cooperation, and the improvement of the legislation of countries.
In a broader sense, IMO contributes to ensuring the freedom of navigation within the framework of international law (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), supports diplomatic efforts to resolve crises, advocates for the safety of sailors, and provides assistance to states in developing maritime potential.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of information. It represents an accurate report of what the source asserts and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.