The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has convened an emergency two-day session in London to assess the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on global maritime transport. The meeting, which began on Wednesday, is focusing on the safety of thousands of stranded ships and seafarers. The IMO’s 40-member council is expected to vote on several proposals, including the creation of a ‘safe maritime corridor’ to evacuate vessels and crews trapped in the Persian Gulf. Any adopted resolutions, however, will not be legally binding.

According to the IMO, around 3,200 ships with some 20,000 crew members are stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, where at least 21 vessels have been attacked since the conflict began. The United Arab Emirates reported that over 18 commercial ships have been damaged by missiles, drones, naval craft, and sea mines, resulting in at least eight deaths and four missing sailors. The UK, France, and Germany have accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping and called for an end to such attacks, while Iran has blamed Israel and the United States for provoking the crisis.

Japan, Panama, Singapore, and the UAE have urged the IMO to establish a framework for the safe withdrawal of ships from high-risk zones, as industry groups call for coordinated international security measures and improved crew welfare.