Latest guidance for vessel transit through Strait of Hormuz

(Posted on 25/05/26)

Hundreds of vessels remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz and, in the event of a return to more normal navigation conditions, the movement of all those vessels within the Strait could represent a considerable navigational hazard. To help mitigate the risk, the industry organisations ICS, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, IMCA, and OCIMF have worked together to produce guidance aimed at assisting ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The document complements the Best Management Practices Maritime Security (BMP MS) and is intended to support voyage-specific threat and risk assessment, facilitating shipboard and office planning.

The safety of life, safe navigation and protection of environment remain the primary considerations, with the Master retaining overriding authority. A structured decision process has been developed to aid companies and to consider the likely threat scenario in the risk assessment for each ship.

The document complements the Best Management Practices Maritime Security (BMP MS) and is intended to support voyage-specific threat and risk assessment.

Earlier in May 2026, the BIMCO Ship Manager Advisory Panel met online. The panel talked about the result of the IMO MEPC 84 including Net Zero Framework (NZF) and its impact on ship managers.

BIMCO also gave the panel a briefing on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz following by an exchange of views about how this is impacting ship managers with ships and crew stranded in the Persian Gulf. Lastly, the panel touched upon the US Trade Representative fees which are expected to come into force in October 2026.

The next meeting will be in Autumn 2026, and it will have seafarers as its theme. Agenda items planned include how to include more female crew onboard ships, crew welfare and the upcoming Seafarer Workforce Report.  

The goal of the BIMCO Ship Manager Advisory Panel is to discuss and review developments impacting ship managers within BIMCO’s membership.?If you are a member with an interest in these issues, you are welcome to join the network.

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