International Maritime Organization: Negotiations will be conducted to evacuate stranded seafarers. The crisis should be resolved through dialogue.

Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Kitack Lim, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency on the 24th at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization in London, UK, that the US-Iran conflict not only directly affects the shipping industry, but also impacts global economy, food security, and the supply of basic necessities. All parties should resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz through negotiations and dialogue. Lim stated that due to the conflict and its spillover effects, around 20,000 seafarers from 2,000 ships are stranded in the Gulf region, and the evacuation of these seafarers is a priority for the organization. The International Maritime Organization has decided to negotiate on an evacuation framework for seafarers and is currently studying feasible operational measures, including how to establish evacuation channels, how to collect information on ships, how to share information with relevant parties in the Strait of Hormuz, and what measures need to be taken to ensure safe passage for ships. The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for maritime safety and the prevention of ship-induced marine pollution and legal issues. Lim emphasized that the organization's responsibilities focus mainly on technical and operational aspects, and will continue to adhere to this direction. "Although we do not directly address the root causes of geopolitical issues, I have made it clear that this organization is taking proactive action. Any issue that has a negative impact on shipping and seafarers, we should intervene within our mandate and contribute to various response mechanisms."