Iran asks to postpone IMO audit in wake of port blast

THE Iranian government has formally requested the International Maritime Organization postpone its scheduled inspection under the IMO Member State Audit scheme.

Iran has indicated a comprehensive internal review in the aftermath of an explosion incident that occurred in April 2025 at the Shahid Rajaee port complex “renders the audit not feasible to undertake as scheduled”.

At least 28 people were killed and 800 injured in a huge explosion at the port of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, Iranian state media reported on April 27.

A government statement in the aftermath of the blast said the explosion was likely linked to chemicals being stored.

Iran’s request to the IMO was noted in documents added to the IMO’s forthcoming council meeting due to begin in London next week.

Any request to postpone a scheduled audit by a member state, due to extraordinary circumstances, should be submitted in writing at least six months prior to the audit due date, which in the case of Iran was October.

Assuming the council accepts the request, Iran’s audit will be postponed until the second cycle of audits in 2027.

IMO’s audit scheme, which was initially a voluntary option but has been a treaty obligation since 2016, aims to promote the consistent and effective implementation of IMO instruments and its regulatory framework.