Thomas A. Kakazous, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICS), spoke at a meeting held yesterday in New York to the United Nations Security Council about the critical importance of protecting maritime security and freedom of navigation and the international legal framework governing the world's oceans.
International Chamber of Commerce Report to the Security Council
This meeting, convened at the invitation of the Kingdom of Bahrain and chaired by the country's Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani, brought together representatives of the United Nations and invited guests to discuss the deteriorating maritime security environment and increased geopolitical tensions. The main topic of this meeting was the security situation in the Persian Gulf.
Kakazous, as a representative of the international shipping industry, outlined the profound implications of insecurity at sea for seafarers, ships, global trade, and the international economy. He emphasized that commercial vessels must be able to navigate in international waters without unnecessary obstacles.
The Importance of the Strait of Hormuz in Global Trade
Kakazous stated: "The current situation in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding areas highlights the importance of this issue. This strait is one of the vital arteries of international trade, transporting about a quarter of global maritime oil trade as well as a significant volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fertilizers. The ongoing disruptions in this region have been unprecedented."
The International Chamber of Commerce pointed out that ships and their crews should not become victims of larger political or military conflicts and that international rules governing navigation must be respected. Kakazous stressed: "Straits should not become places where commercial vessels are forced to seek permission, negotiate for passage, or accept arbitrary restrictions, solely due to increased geopolitical tensions. This right should not be granted or revoked based on current political conditions."
This meeting also provided an opportunity to emphasize the human cost resulting from the deteriorating security environment. Kakazous added: "Seafarers transport food, energy, medicine, raw materials, and essential goods to communities around the world. They are civilians and have no involvement in geopolitical conflicts, and their well-being is of utmost importance."
At the end of his speech, Thomas Kakazous called for a return to freedom of navigation and emphasized that international straits should not become toll roads and that commercial vessels and seafarers should not be taken hostage.
He added: "The International Chamber of Commerce welcomed this opportunity to report to the members of the Security Council and reiterated the shipping industry's commitment to working with governments and international organizations to enhance maritime security and protect the principles upon which global trade depends. I sincerely thank the Kingdom of Bahrain and Dr. Al Zayani for their warm invitation."
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