Decisions of the 35th extraordinary session of the IMO Council

The Councilʹs decisions on the impacts of the situation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov on shipping and seafarers were declared through IMO Circular Letter No.4531.

The Council agreed to encourage the establishment of a blue safe maritime corridor to allow the safe evacuation of seafarers and ships from the high-risk and affected areas in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to a safe place in order to protect the life of seafarers, ensure the mobilization and commercial navigation of vessels intending to use this corridor by avoiding military attacks and protecting and securing the maritime domain.

The Secretary-General has indicated his commitment to take immediate action to realize the blue safe maritime corridor with the cooperation and collaboration of the relevant parties including littoral states.

The Council welcomed the proposal that a number of steps should be taken to reduce the suffering of seafarers and their families, which can be found in the text of the Circular.

RELEVANT DOCUMENT (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):

Circular Letter No.4531 Decisions of the thirty-fifth extraordinary session of the Council (C.ES/35), 10-11 March 2022