International Maritime Organization: The key to evacuating trapped mariners is to de-escalate the situation.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Dominguez, stated on the 27th that the key to safely evacuating approximately 20,000 seafarers trapped in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas is to de-escalate the situation. Dominguez said at a press conference that the international community should focus on easing conflicts and achieving regional peace, which is not only the first step in ensuring the safety of seafarers' lives, but also a necessary condition for restoring maritime operations and benefiting everyone. Dominguez stated that the International Maritime Organization is continuously working on evacuating trapped seafarers. He emphasized that it is necessary for the situation to continue to de-escalate and to ensure that there are no mines in the waterways. He also mentioned that the resilience of the shipping industry is due to a group of outstanding seafarers who continue to fulfill their duties amidst political conflicts. The International Maritime Organization will make every effort to assist the stranded seafarers. The organization has held dialogues with countries in the Gulf region and expressed gratitude for their support to the seafarers.