Responding to the announcement surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz ICS
Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos said:
“This development offers a cautious measure of reassurance to the global maritime
community and, most importantly, to the seafarers who have been placed in harm’s way and
confined on board their vessels for more than seven weeks.
While this announcement is a positive step there is still much uncertainty around what it
means in practice. Regardless it is essential that it marks the beginning of a broader and
more durable return, beyond the current ceasefire, to freedom of navigation in one of the
world’s most critical maritime corridors.
An orderly and sustained return to normal transit through the Strait will be essential. This
will require close coordination between the International Maritime Organization, regional
states, naval authorities, and the shipping industry to ensure that vessels can transit safely.
Above all, it is imperative that full freedom of navigation is respected by all parties in
accordance with international law.”
