IMO calls emergency council session over Strait of Hormuz shipping crisis

Council members request urgent meeting

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will hold an emergency Council session next week to address the growing threat to vessels and seafarers in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.

The session will examine the impact of deteriorating conditions in the Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman and the Gulf Region, with particular concern centred on the Strait of Hormuz.

Six Council members formally requested the session under Rule 3 of the Council's Rules of Procedure, citing urgent concerns over the effects of the regional situation on shipping operations and the welfare of seafarers.

The requesting members also proposed waiving the standard one month's notice requirement in order to convene the meeting at the earliest opportunity.

The 36^th extraordinary session of the IMO Council (C/ES.36) will open at the organisation's London headquarters on Wednesday next week and is expected to conclude on the following day.

The IMO has urged Council members and other member governments to keep written submissions to no more than three pages and to file them by Monday next week.

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