A global group of business organisations has sought to implement a United Nations-supported coordination mechanism to keep fertiliser shipments moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Under the proposed measure, formally supported by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Oman will manage the flow of fertiliser shipments and related products to ensure they make it through the waterway.
The West Asian sultanate lies on the southern side of the strait opposite Iran, and the world body’s chief has suggested it will act as a neutral facilitator, registering and verifying ships carrying such cargo.
ICC calls on US, Iran to back UN facilitation to resolve fertiliser issue
Aiming to ease the movement of fertiliser shipments through the waterway to avert an emerging supply and food crisis if the problem persists for a longer period, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) called on the United States and Iran to accept the UN-supported measure.
ICC Secretary-General John Denton said that the world is waiting for Washington and Tehran to resolve the conflict by signing up to the coordination mechanism and avoid an apparent humanitarian crisis.
Denton believes the measure to ease access to fertiliser cargo aboard ships is a political decision.
About a third of the world’s fertiliser used to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which has become a flashpoint for tensions between the two nations since Tehran blocked it in retaliation for the US and Israel starting the Middle East war with strikes on its territory on February 28.
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ICC chief praises UN help on the development of coordination mechanism
Denton said the ICC has worked with the UN and its agencies to develop the mechanism.
He praised the partnership as a very good example of the private sector working with multilateral agencies.
The ICC secretary-general pointed out that the measure should boost the confidence of shipowners who operate fertiliser-laden cargo vessels to pass through the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, saying that members are ready to transport them to key ports.
Denton noted that the organisation had been actively providing practical insights on how to get the entire economic ecosystem, from ships, to seafarers, to insurance and ports, to function.
The official expressed hope that with France chairing the UN Security Council this month, President Emmanuel Macron could take advantage of that opportunity to draw attention to the crisis and to mobilise and activate the mechanism.
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Maybelene Marcelino 
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