A serious warning to the stakeholders of the global maritime transportation system
Opinion / Commentary: The following is a post from senior maritime training instructor Reza M.Alibeike.
When I published my concerns about the role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in preventing geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, a number of recipients of my note commented that the IMO measures cover all aspects of international shipping, including ship design, construction, equipment, manning, operation and disposal to ensure that this vital sector for remains safe, environmentally sound, energy efficient and secure.
First, let’s take a look at the content of the messages from the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that have been published on the IMO’s website over the past month
IMO, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said:
“To all seafarers: thank you. Your work is essential to the functioning of the global economy and the daily lives of people around the world. While it may not always seem visible, your safety, security, and welfare remain our highest priority.“
- IMO SG Welcomes ….! IMO Announces ….! IMO Pauses! …. !
- IMO PAUSES evacuation in Strait of Hormoz ….
- IMO ANNOUNCES evacuation plan in the Strait of Hormoz.
- IMO secretary-general WLCOMES US-Iran agreement.
- IMO secretary-general strongly CONDEMNS ship attack near the Strait of Hormuz
I believe that the highest priorities of the IMO Secretary-General and others who are aligned with his thoughts and policies are the following three. In other words, the three main concerns of the current and former Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) over the past 8 years have been the following three issues.
A)- Gender equality and the empowerment of women in the global maritime transport industry;
B)- Decarbonization of the maritime transport;
C)- Digitalization in the maritime/shipping industry.
Unfortunately, the performance of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in preventing geopolitical tensions that threaten shipping lanes and seafarers has been very weak and ineffective.
Unfortunately, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) steps in when it sees the consequences of war on the maritime transport industry !!
I am really interested in knowing why, in the case of regional tensions where the possibility of war is high, the role of IMO in preventing war is so weak.
Isn’t it time for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take on a more effective role and duties in preventing naval warfares from breaking out in different regions of the world?
A look at the status of the indicators mentioned in the content of the reports of the last 10 years of the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding gives a serious warning to the stakeholders of the global maritime transport industry that the performance of the International Maritime Organization in strengthening the role and duties that have been specified for it has been weak, especially with regard to the seafarers’ training system, ISM Code, FSS Code, living & working condition, and the MLC Convention. Looking at the statistics for 2025 and 2024, focusing on the MLC Convention, we will realize the depth of the disaster.
The paragraph below is taken from the 2025 annual report of IOMOU, which is republished for the information of the audiences:
“A total of 5,958 inspections were carried out in 2025. Out of these 5,958 inspections, 3,072 inspections had deficiencies, and the total numbers of deficiencies were 13,962. Serious deficiencies noted by the PSCOs led to the detention of 261 ships and needed to be rectified prior to the ships’ departure; the overall detention percentage for the year was 4.38%. There has been 11.68% increase in the total number of inspections in 2025, compared to those which were inspected in 2024, the detention percentage has also sightly increased from 4.24% recorded in 2024. The average number of deficiencies per inspection in 2025 (2.34) has slightly increased compared to the previous year (2.24).”
Of course, I believe that the reasons for the inefficiencies or poor performance of the International Maritime Organization should be sought 1)- in the level of knowledge and skills of many representatives of the member states at this international organization. 2)- in the lack of belief of the organization’s senior officials in transparency and accountability to the questions and concerns of the IMO’s critics. 3)- in the lack of effective supervision in the process of implementing the content of the RO Code.
Conclusion (From My Point of View):
A)- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) does not consider preventing geopolitical tensions at sea to be part of its mandate or responsibility. IMO, always takes action after observing the effects of geopolitical tensions on its missions !
B)- From the IMO’s perspective, promoting the welfare and safety of seafarers, enhancing their knowledge and skills, improving the safety of maritime working environments, and ensuring the security of shipping lines are not given higher priority than digitalization, decarbonization, gender equality, and the empowerment of women in the global maritime transport industry !
C)- There is no determination to strengthen transparency and accountability in this international organization. a PDF file titled “IMO Secretariat Policy on Access to Information” is available on the front page of the IMO website, but unfortunately this policy, especially in the exceptions and reservations section, does not aim to enhance transparency and accountability.
Finally, I have a request to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization: Please publish the final report of the audits conducted by the IMO audit team on member states for public information. Here, the term audit refers to an audit based on the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). IMO’s current policy regarding public access to the final audit report of an audited Member State is subject to the permission or authorization of/from the Member State!
- Reza M.Alibeike