A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Monday that the situation in waters near the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, urging vessels in the area to take maximum caution.
"The situation continues to be volatile. Ships should take maximum caution and not take risks without security guarantees," the spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the information released on the IMO website, as of April 19, a total of 24 attacks on ships in the affected waters had been confirmed, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers.
The IMO, the United Nations specialized agency responsible for maritime safety and security, as well as the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships, has called for de-escalation, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that with the U.S. repeatedly violating ceasefire deals and posing threats to Iran’s ports and vessels, a unilateral return to normal shipping remains out of reach.
Also on Monday, the U.S. Central Command claimed in a social media post that the U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports since its blockade on navigation through the Strait starting April 13.
However, according to a report released from Lloyd's List on Monday, at least 26 vessels involved in Iranian shipping had managed to break through the U.S. blockade.
IMO urges ships near Strait of Hormuz to be on maximum alert
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said on Monday that his country will advance green industries by drawing on China's successful experiences, following his weekend tour to China's Qinghai Province.
In Qinghai, Chapo toured a clean energy and green computing power dispatch center, a fully automated intelligent production line for photovoltaic modules, and a mining development company. From the selection of hydropower station sites to the establishment of a wind-solar hybrid energy system, and the manufacturing process of photovoltaic panels, he listened attentively and raised his questions in detail, eager to find out the secrets in China's successful green development. "We are very much in agreement that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.' They are real resources. For Mozambique, we are also working to be a benchmark for clean energy such as solar energy and wind energy in Africa. I have learned a great deal from this visit. China, while developing its energy sector, has always placed great importance on protecting the environment. This is a very important experience for us," the president said.
Mozambique is rich in hydropower, wind power, solar power, and mineral resources. But how to achieve efficient development and sustainable utilization, especially how to improve power supply and develop green industries, are the crucial issues for Mozambique's national development.
Qinghai's mature clean energy system integrating hydropower, solar power, and wind power, along with its innovative models for promoting local green electricity conversion and supporting green computing power development presented opportunities for Chapo and his team.
At a development and investment roundtable on Monday, representatives from both countries signed a couple of strategic cooperation letters of intent covering clean energy and mineral resources.
"We think that we will have to work together. Our two countries and peoples share a brotherly friendship. And we think Mozambique is part of the Belt and Road Initiative and we can continue to work together to build more infrastructure under this initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping," he said.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chapo is on a state visit to China from April 16 to 22. It is his first visit to China since he took office in January 2025.
Before his trip to Qinghai, Chapo visited a number of factories in central China's Hunan Province from Thursday to Saturday, seeking Chinese expertise in manufacturing to support Mozambique's development. He continued his week-long trip to Beijing from Monday.
Mozambican president says to advance nation's green development with Chinese experiences
