LONDON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez said on Monday that de-escalation is the key to safely evacuating around 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz.
He stressed that the international community should do more to ease tensions and bring peace to the region, describing it as the first step not only to safeguard the lives of seafarers but also to resume shipping operations for the benefits of all.
Answering a question from Xinhua at Monday's press session, Dominguez said the IMO is continuing efforts to facilitate the evacuation of stranded seafarers. However, he emphasized that no evacuation framework can be implemented until safety is ensured.
"On the evacuation corridor, we are continuing to develop it. However, we will not be able to implement any evacuation framework until it is safe to do so," he said, adding that "for that to happen, we first need de-escalation, followed by a sustained period of stability."
At the same time, support must be sought to ensure that navigational channels are free from hazards, including mines, he added.
Dominguez highlighted that the resilience repeatedly demonstrated by the shipping industry ultimately comes from seafarers, and also delivered a message to stranded seafarers, expressing concern and support.
"My main message to them is that we are listening to them, we are concerned about them and we will be doing the best we can to assist them in any way possible," he said.
According to the IMO, since late February when military actions escalated in the region, the organization has verified multiple attacks on vessels in the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in casualties among seafarers and damage to ships. ■
