Europe Asia News

According to China Central Television (CCTV), International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez made a statement regarding tensions on strategic sea routes.

Highlighting freedom of navigation, Dominguez said: “Freedom of navigation is not open to debate for the IMO, and no country has the right to block traffic in a strait open to international maritime transport.”

Referring to the importance of sea routes for global trade, Dominguez stated that the uninterrupted continuation of international maritime transport is critical for the stability of global trade.

Calling for de-escalation, Dominguez said that security must first be ensured for the safe evacuation of around 20,000 seafarers stranded around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Dominguez noted that the IMO is continuing its work to evacuate stranded seafarers.

According to CCTV, since late February, amid increased military activity in the region, numerous attacks on ships around the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have been confirmed; these attacks were reported to have caused casualties among seafarers and damage to vessels.