UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has proposed a UN led initiative to improve the safety of major global shipping routes, warning that ongoing conflicts are disrupting international trade and putting global food supplies at risk.
Guterres said strategic maritime chokepoints should not be used as tools of pressure or conflict. He particularly highlighted the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping activity has almost come to a standstill.
According to Guterres, the disruption has contributed to a 36% increase in oil prices since the war began on February 28. Global container shipping costs have also risen by 84% over the past year, increasing the prices of fertilizers, food and other essential products.
The proposed confidence building mechanism has been developed by a task force led by the UN Office for Project Services. It would act as a neutral body responsible for registering and verifying vessels, initially focusing on ships transporting fertilizers and related materials.
The initiative aims to create a more predictable and organized transit system, reducing immediate security risks while creating opportunities for diplomatic engagement. A separate deconfliction mechanism would also operate in Oman.
Guterres clarified that the proposed system would not give ships permission to pass or change existing international maritime laws. Decisions regarding sovereignty and passage would remain with individual participating countries, and the initiative could only be implemented if all relevant states agree to the framework.
The UN chief emphasized that protecting freedom of navigation is both a legal responsibility and a humanitarian necessity, as millions of vulnerable people depend on uninterrupted global trade.
He called on all sides to respect international law, maritime law and humanitarian obligations, while demanding greater protection for civilian sailors and maritime infrastructure.
Guterres also urged the immediate cessation of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Red Sea, stressing that freedom of navigation is essential for maintaining international peace and security.
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