Exclusive Interview | Negotiation and Dialogue Are the Key to Resolving the Hormuz Strait Crisis — An Interview with IMO Secretary-General Domingues

　　Xinhua News Agency, London, March 24 - Exclusive Interview | Negotiation and dialogue are the solutions to the Hormuz Strait crisis - Interview with International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Dominguez

　　Xinhua News Agency reporter Gao Wencheng

　　International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Dominguez stated in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization in London, UK, on the 24th, that the US-Israel conflict not only directly impacts the shipping industry but also affects the global economy, food security, and the supply of essential living materials. All parties should resolve the Hormuz Strait crisis through negotiation and dialogue.

　　Dominguez stated that due to the conflict and its spillover effects, about 20,000 seafarers on 2,000 ships are trapped in the Gulf region, and evacuating these seafarers is the current focus of the organization. The International Maritime Organization has decided to negotiate a framework for seafarer evacuation and is studying practical operational measures, including how to establish evacuation channels, how to collect ship information, how to share information with parties related to the Hormuz Strait, and what measures need to be taken to ensure the safe passage of ships.

　　The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency within the United Nations system responsible for maritime safety and preventing marine pollution caused by ships and its legal issues. Dominguez stated that the International Maritime Organization's responsibilities mainly focus on technical and operational levels and will always adhere to this direction. "Although we do not directly address the root causes of geopolitical issues, I have made it clear that the organization is actively taking action. Any issues that negatively impact shipping and seafarers should be addressed within our responsibilities, and we should contribute to various response mechanisms."

　　Since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, the global energy transportation "lifeline" Hormuz Strait shipping has been severely obstructed. Market service agency data shows that since March, the number of merchant ships passing through this strait has decreased by 95% compared to before the conflict. Dominguez believes that this conflict not only impacts the shipping industry but also affects the global economy, food security, and the supply of essential living materials, driving up energy prices and increasing living costs.

　　Dominguez once again called on all parties to ease the situation, using multilateralism and dialogue as a way to solve the problem. He said: "The more we make such appeals, the more likely it is to bring all parties back to the negotiating table. We should maintain a positive attitude, acknowledge the current situation is complex and changeable, but the best solution is for all parties to sit down, face the differences, and jointly find a way forward."

　　Dominguez also stated that China is a very active member of the International Maritime Organization and welcomes China to offer opinions and suggestions on related issues and engage extensively with other member countries, which will help find solutions to the problems.