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The German Shipowners‘ Association (VDR) has welcomed the upcoming diplomatic agreement between the USA and Iran. The Iran conflict, which has severely impacted shipping in the Gulf region for nearly four months, could experience positive developments through the agreement set to be signed on Friday. The VDR expresses hope that safety for seafarers and merchant vessels will be restored and that passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz can be made permanently safe and reliable.
Hope for Restoration of Safety
Martin Kröger, Managing Director of the VDR, emphasizes the significance of the signals from the talks between the USA and Iran for shipping. He states, „Now it is crucial to restore trust and safety. Whether the agreement announced for Friday will lead to a permanently safe and reliable passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains to be seen. However, we are cautiously optimistic.“ He also highlights the preparations of the German government, which aims to contribute to securing shipping in the region as part of the G7 summit in Évian. For Germany, as a trading nation, free and safe sea routes are of central importance.
The VDR considers the preparations for a possible deployment of German minehunters to secure shipping as a decisive step. However, such a deployment by the Bundeswehr would require a corresponding mandate from the German Bundestag.
Since the beginning of the conflict on February 28, 2026, more than 40 merchant vessels have been attacked in the region, resulting in injuries and fatalities among seafarers. A reliable passage through the Strait of Hormuz has not been guaranteed for months. Currently, around 2,000 merchant vessels with approximately 20,000 seafarers are in the Persian Gulf, including 46 ships from German shipping companies with about 1,000 seafarers on board.
The VDR emphasizes that merchant vessels and their crews are not parties to the conflict and therefore should not be targets of attacks or political or military pressure. Safe and reliable shipping routes are a fundamental prerequisite for international trade, stable supply chains, and the supply of economies worldwide.
Demand for Concrete Improvements
For the VDR, it is crucial that the upcoming agreement brings concrete improvements for safety at sea. This includes reliable security guarantees for seafarers and ships, as well as the unconditional respect for international maritime law. The Strait of Hormuz is considered an international waterway, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantees free and unobstructed transit passage there. These principles must continue to apply unconditionally in the future to ensure safety and stability in the region.
