The president and CEO of the World Shipping Council, Joe Kramek, warned on Wednesday (11th) of the risks vessels and their crews face when navigating the Middle East.
He said that approximately 20,000 seafarers in the region face a highly uncertain security situation because of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran and involving other countries.
Kramek recalled that several commercial vessels have been hit since the start of the conflict and that various crew members have been killed. "Seafarers are not part of this conflict, but are increasingly drawn into it. They are men and women simply doing their job at sea," said the WSC leader.
He called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take measures to ensure the protection of seafarers and respect for freedom of navigation, and stated that crew safety must be the absolute priority. "Our thoughts are with the sailors who have lost their lives, their families, and the crews still operating in the region under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions," said Kramek.
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