The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) on Wednesday welcomed the conditional ceasefire between the US and Iran, with secretary-general Thomas Kazakos expressing hope that it would mark the start of a return to stability in the region.

He said the news would come as a relief to the 20,000 seafarers caught up in the crisis, while also paying tribute to civilians and seafarers who had been injured or killed. 

“We welcome the conditional ceasefire between the US and Iran and hope this signals a beginning of a return to stability in the region,” Kazakos said. 

He added that an immediate return to freedom of navigation was essential, and said states should work with shipping to ensure orderly and unimpeded transits through the Strait. 

“This news will be a relief to the 20,000 seafarers who have been at the forefront of this crisis. Our thoughts remain with those civilians and seafarers who have already been injured or sadly lost their lives,” he said. 

“An immediate return to freedom of navigation is now essential, and states should work with shipping to ensure orderly and unimpeded transits through the Strait,” he added, saying this would require coordination between industry and nation states from both inside and outside the Gulf region. 

“ICS is willing to assist this process is any way we can,” Kazakos concluded.