The extraordinary session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization met on Wednesday and yesterday in London to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz region where attacks on ships follow one another in the context of the conflict pitting the United States and Israel against Iran has concluded yesterday evening with a resolution urging the establishment of a safe corridor to allow the evacuation of ships still locked in the area.

The resolution specifies that, "with regard to the proposal to encourage the establishment of a framework to facilitate the safe evacuation of merchant ships contained in the document C/ES.36/3/4 submitted by Bahrain and Others, the Council, taking into account the significant number of merchant ships remain stuck in the region, encouraged the institution, in temporary and urgent way, of a framework, such as a corridor safe maritime transport, to facilitate the safe evacuation of merchant ships from high-risk areas and hit to a safe place, with particular attention to those currently confined to the Gulf region, through peaceful means and on voluntary basis. This measure aims to protect the lives of seafarers and to ensure the mobilisation and commercial navigation of ships that intend to use this framework, avoiding attacks on military and protecting and securing the maritime. The Council also invited the Secretary-General to work with stakeholders and adopt the necessary immediate measures to start the definition of the framework and to keep Member States of developments, as well as submit a report to a future Council meeting'.

It is quite clear that the implementation of this initiative "through peaceful means and on a voluntary basis" can be a powerful disincentive for many governments to engage in this action. The Secretary-General of the IMO urged everyone to intervene: "It is the responsibility of the of each of us - said Arsenio Dominguez - to demonstrate that Inaction is not an option, that words alone are not enough. Together we can drive the change needed to protect the well-being of those who have no voice and safeguard the principle of freedom of navigation". Dominguez has said 'ready to immediately start negotiations for establish a humanitarian framework for the evacuation of all vessels, and the seafarers trapped. However - he specified - in order for this becomes concrete, I will need understanding, commitment and, above all, concrete actions by all countries and stakeholders'.

The Council also called for the immediate cessation of all attacks on ships targeting civilian seafarers and called on Member States to ensure the supply of water, food, fuel and other essential goods to the ships currently unable to leave the region. The States They were also encouraged to facilitate foreign exchange operations of crews in accordance with the in order to safeguard the health, safety and the well-being of seafarers. The Council urged States to ensure that seafarers can maintain communications with the their families and friends and that supplies and supplies are adapted to their needs.

For the Secretary General of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), Stephen Cotton, is now the government's time to act: "for the thousands of seafarers still trapped in this region, which they face on a daily basis Threats to one's own life - he underlined - words are not enough. What matters now is concrete and urgent action that protect their safety, their health and their dignity". "We welcome the commitment to the Gulf States to ensure the supply of essential goods ships in the region, as well as their efforts to facilitate the change of crews and the repatriation of seafarers. But let it be well clear: the goal of all governments must be the protection of seafarers, innocent civilians. As we stated during the all flag States shall immediately issue clear and unambiguous warnings to ship owners and operators to avoid sailing to the war zone or transit through it. No seafarer should be put in a position of having to navigate through an ongoing conflict".

On the proposal to establish a corridor to facilitate the safe evacuation of ships from the Gulf region, Cotton has specified that "the ITF supports the development of corridors safe evacuation seafarers, provided - specified the General Secretary of the Trade Union Organization - whether he is their effective safety in practice, and not only in in principle'.