UN Shipping Agency Pushes Safe Corridor for Gulf Evacuations

0:00Hey, it's Cory with the story with Global News today, the world's biggest stories every day. Countries at the United Nations Shipping Agency have agreed to develop a safe corridor for evacuating commercial ships from the Gulf region. This comes amid the ongoing United States and Israeli military strikes against Iran. The International Maritime Organization's Council held a special session to push for a framework that protects seafarers in high-risk zones. No specific timeline was set for creating this corridor, and its uncertain if Iran will go along with it. Shipping through the vital strait of Hormuz, which handles about one-fifth of the world's oil, has nearly stopped since the strikes began on February. Twenty-eighth. Around twenty thousand seafarers are stuck on nearly two thousand vessels west of the strait. Iran's revolutionary guards have threatened to target any ships passing through, leading to widespread fears among crews and shipping companies. Since the conflict started, there have been seventeen reported attacks on vessels in the Gulf, resulting in at least seven seafarer deaths.

1:02These incidents have heightened dangers for everyone at sea in the area. The IMO Secretary General urged flagstates to tell their ships east of the strait to stay put and avoid heading west into greater peril. Official stress that seafarers should not face even more unnecessary risks right now. This story is shared with support from our sponsor. The Pillow just got smarter, a pleasure podcast, and music. S-O-L-I-SOLYPILLOW.COM