In the light of the worrying picture of maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the President of the Italian Confederation of Shipowners, Mario Zanetti wrote to the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, and for information to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, and the other competent authorities, to draw the attention of the institutions on the escalation of risk for seafarers employed on merchant shipping engaged in the area.

Zanetti, in reiterating the appreciation of the national armament for the action that the Navy and the Corps of the Captaincies of Port - Coast Guard have always carried out daily for the protection of maritime safety and national interests, highlighted how much the Strait of Hormuz represents a junction strategic for global maritime and energy trade. The president of Confitarma recalled that, according to data from the Confederation, this is one of the most important Global energy chokepoints: through this passage passes normally about 38% of world oil exports transported by sea, equal to about 20% of the energy supply global economy, as well as about 30% of the maritime trade in LPG and the 20% of that of LNG. For Italy, the issue is particularly significant: in 2025 our country imported from the Gulf countries Perch about 14.3 million tons of energy products, accounting for more than 13% of total energy imports, volumes that arrive entirely by sea.

Zanetti pointed out that, in this context, the merchant ship - and especially the seafarers on board - is located at operating in conditions of increasing risk, with potential impact on the safety of trade routes and the continuity of international logistics chains. To the light the relevance of the national interests involved and the role that the fleet operated by the Italian Armament carries out to ensure the security of supply and fluidity continuity of trade - explained Zanetti - Confitarma believes Particularly important is the strengthening of the maritime presence and surveillance in the areas affected by the crisis, including through the possible displacement of at sea of units of the Navy to protect the freedom of navigation and the safety of merchant traffic. Such a - Zanetti observed - would help to strengthen the safety conditions for commercial shipping and seafarers embarked, in addition to representing a concrete sign of attention to the protection of the country's strategic interests and the stability of international shipping routes.

"The safety of navigation and seafarers - added the president of Confitarma - represent priorities absolute for our country. In a phase characterized by strong geopolitical tensions, such as the one we are seeing in the area of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, is fundamental guarantee the free conduct of merchant traffic international. The fleet operated by the Italian shipping company carried out a essential role for continuity of supply and to keep the country's routes active of global trade. This is why we believe that the strengthening of the national presence and surveillance system maritime in the area, also through the possible deployment of units of the Navy, to protect the freedom of and the strategic interests of the country".

On the occasion of today's communication, Confitarma also recalled its commitment within the Committee Interministerial Council for Maritime Safety (CISM), to which has participated since its establishment, contributing over time to the discussion with the competent administrations on safety issues of navigation.