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Shipping: Middle East

Asked by Mr Tanmanjeet Singh DhesiLabourDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 17 June 2026UIN 8645

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Maritime Industry Security Forum in responding to the current situation in a) the Strait of Hormuz and b) the wider Middle East.

Answered by Keir Mather

We have not convened the Maritime Security Industry Forum (MSIF) to respond to the current conflict in the wider Middle East, as that forum is focused more on DfT’s existing and proposed maritime security policies. We have however convened the Maritime Industry Threat and Risk Group (MITARG) on two occasions. MITARG provides a forum for key industry contacts to be briefed confidentially on security threats to commercial maritime interests, and for industry to provide government with their views on the threat. This sits alongside continuing regular engagement with the shipping industry on the situation by DfT and other government departments.

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