IMO condemns Middle East tanker attacks

Jul 19 2019


The IMO Council has condemned recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman at its meeting in London held this week.

The Council also expressed its concern over the grave danger to life and the serious risks to navigational safety and the environment to which such incidents may give rise.

It emphasised the need for flag states and shipowners and operators to review their maritime security plans and implement necessary measures to address the heightened security risk to ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman.

Addressing the Council, IMO secretary general, Kitack Lim also emphasised his personal condemnation of the attacks, asserting that “threats to ships and their crews, peaceably going about their business in any part of the world, are intolerable.”

Lim added; “I strongly urge all member states to redouble their efforts and to work together to find a long lasting solution to ensure the safety and security of international shipping around the globe and the protection of the marine environment. We owe it to our industry, which is indispensable to the world, and to our seafarers.”

 



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