The council called for an immediate end to all attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf. Strait of Hormuz: International Maritime Organization Council calls for humanitarian mechanism to resolve crisis Peace and security
Following the emergency meeting of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which ended today, its participants – in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 – strongly condemned threats and attacks on ships, as well as the proposed closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It is noted that such actions had a negative impact on commercial transport and jeopardized the safety and well-being of seafarers.
The Council called for a coherent approach to security and emphasized the need for international coordination of the response. He reaffirmed that the right of commercial and commercial vessels to freedom of navigation under international law must be respected.
In his closing remarks, the IMO Secretary General said: “Let each of us take responsibility and show that inaction is not an option and words alone are not enough. Together we can bring about the necessary changes to protect the well-being of those whose voices are not heard and preserve the principle of freedom of navigation.” The Council called for an immediate end to all attacks on ships. He called on Member States to ensure the continued supply of water, food, fuel and other essential resources to ships currently unable to leave the region.
States are also encouraged to facilitate crew changes in accordance with international standards to ensure the health, safety and well-being of seafarers. The Council stressed the need to keep seafarers connected with families and friends, and to ensure adequate supplies on board.
The Council called for international coordinated action to ensure safe navigation. It is noted that in the approach to solving this problem it is necessary to take into account the fatigue of the crews and the pressure to which they are exposed, as well as the risks associated with passing through the region in conditions of large-scale interference and substitution of signals from global navigation satellite systems.
Safe passage framework
The Council called for the establishment of a temporary and urgent safe maritime transport mechanism to facilitate the evacuation of merchant ships currently in the waters Persian Gulf. This measure aims to protect the lives of seafarers and ensure safe commercial shipping by preventing attacks. The Council instructed the Secretary General of the organization, Arsenio Dominguez, to take the necessary urgent measures to launch this mechanism in cooperation with the relevant parties.
“I am ready to immediately begin negotiations on the establishment of a humanitarian mechanism for the evacuation of all ships and seafarers trapped, but this will require understanding, commitment and, above all, concrete action on the part of all interested countries and parties,” said Secretary-General Dominguez.
An emergency session of the Council was convened at the request of a number of member states. The Council is the executive body of the IMO and consists of 40 member states elected by the organization’s Assembly. Representatives of more than 120 states took part in the meeting, including all 40 members of the Council.