LONDON, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A framework is being developed to facilitate the evacuation of vessels stranded in the Gulf, the chief of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) told the agency's Legal Committee, which concluded its meeting here on Friday.
According to the meeting report, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez noted that the mechanism is being designed in line with the existing Traffic Separation Scheme established by IMO in 1968.
In the Strait of Hormuz, current navigation arrangements divide shipping lanes into separate corridors passing through waters of Iran and Oman.
Dominguez also reiterated calls for de-escalation, dialogue and multilateral cooperation, stressing the IMO's responsibility to address the adverse effects of geopolitical tensions on seafarers and the global shipping industry.
The IMO chief underscored the importance of upholding established principles of international law, including those enshrined in the Law of the Sea and the Safety of Life at Sea Conventions.
He also encouraged member delegations to engage proactively, address the root causes of conflicts through appropriate forums, and focus on the IMO's work in supporting seafarers and the shipping sector.
A special session of the IMO Council held in March had encouraged the development of a safe passage framework to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers.
Since the outbreak of the conflict on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran, followed by retaliatory strikes from Iran, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted. Around 20,000 seafarers have been stranded in the Gulf, according to IMO. ■
