During an extraordinary session in London, the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) strongly condemned the threats and attacks against merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf and proposed the creation of safe-passage framework in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Council called for the establishment of a safe maritime framework, as a provisional and urgent measure, to facilitate the safe evacuation of merchant ships currently confined within the Gulf region. This measure aims to protect the lives of seafarers and ensure safe commercial shipping by avoiding military attacks.
The Council directed IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez to take the necessary immediate actions to initiate the establishment of the framework, in collaboration with the relevant parties.
“I am ready to start working immediately in negotiations to establish a humanitarian framework to evacuate all vessels and seafarers trapped. However, for this to materialize, I will need the understanding, commitment and, above all, the concrete actions from all relevant countries and stakeholders,” said Secretary-General Dominguez.
(Photo from IMO)