No Safe Transit through Strait of Hormuz: IMO Secretary-General

April 24, 2026

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez provided an update on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz on April 24, calling on Member States to support efforts to address the situation in the region. Currently, about 20,000 seafarers on around 1,600 ships remain trapped in the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary-General Dominguez urged maximum caution, considering potential mines throughout the Strait and the threat of further attacks on ships. He appreciated the ongoing support from countries in the region in providing essential supplies for seafarers and pointed out that all stakeholders must offer any assistance to seafarers and their families. He urged Member States to do more to help seafarers in the region while talking about his conversation with a seafarer who had been trapped in the Persian Gulf for more than six weeks. In the meantime, IMO is working with Member States and partners on an evacuation plan for seafarers and is ready to implement it once it is safe to do so. Mr. Dominguez also called for coordination among flag States, shipowners, and other operators to use the internationally recognized Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) as an evacuation corridor once safety is guaranteed, and stressed that the TSS is the only recognized route through the Straight. 

For the original article, please visit https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/no-safe-transit-through-hormuz-imo-secretary-general.aspx or scan the QR code below.

LAUNCH2 Gets Underway: Alliance to Accelerate Hydrogen Innovation

May 20, 2026

The new partnership, LAUNCH2, officially commenced during the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Rotterdam. The Port of Rotterdam and other organizations have joined forces to accelerate hydrogen innovation. LAUNCH2 is designed to support the development of regional hydrogen chains in a more focused and effective manner. Companies can approach  LAUNCH2 for support in knowledge, infrastructure, and opportunities for testing and upscaling. The initiative aims to strengthen Rotterdam’s position as a European hydrogen hub. This means that LAUNCH2 connects companies, public authorities, and knowledge institutions; supports innovation and upscaling; shares knowledge and contacts; and reinforces the regional hydrogen network. The Port of Rotterdam was involved as investor and facilitator in the File-SubZero Rotterdam pilot hall project for industrial electrification, which received support from LAUNCH2.  LAUNCH2 connects existing initiatives in the region and aims to ensure cohesion and acceleration. 

For the original article, please https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en/news-and-press-releases/launch2-gets-underway-alliance-accelerate-hydrogen-innovation or scan the QR code below.