IMO Council condemns Russian attacks and confirms status of Ukrainian corridor

Flag States were also called upon to exchange information on security incidents in cooperation with the Secretariat, Ukraine and the countries of nationality of crew members.

This was reported by the press service of the Shipping Administration.

The Council of the International Maritime Organization at its 138th session strongly condemned Russia’s attacks on merchant ships, seafarers, port infrastructure and search and rescue forces. The Council also confirmed that the Ukrainian special sea corridor is a vital route for international shipping, which must remain open, safe and accessible.

Document C 138/11/1 was submitted by Ukraine in co-authorship with the EU Member States, Australia, Georgia, Canada, Moldova, the United Kingdom, Montenegro and the European Commission – a total of 35 states. It was considered under item 11 of the agenda “Protection of vital sea routes”. Following the discussions, the Council rejected the counter-proposals of the Russian delegation.

In addition to condemning the attacks, the Council adopted two more decisions. The Secretary-General was invited to continue monitoring the situation, inform the relevant IMO bodies and provide technical support to Ukraine. Stakeholders, primarily flag States, were called upon to exchange information on security incidents in cooperation with the Secretariat, Ukraine and the States of nationality of the crew members.

The authors of the document stressed that systematic attacks could effectively make the corridor inaccessible to international shipping even without its formal closure. According to the data provided, 8,222 ships passed through the corridor.

At the same session, the Council also condemned the Houthi attacks on merchant ships and crews in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The IMO also published statistics on human losses. Since the beginning of the conflict around Iran, 25 sailors have died. The latest death was recorded after the attack on the tanker VELOS SAPPHIRE in the Strait of Hormuz on 5 November, already during the Council’s work. Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez promised to work on additional practical measures to reduce human losses. 

The session’s agenda also covered administrative and budgetary issues: the modernization of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), updating the Council’s Rules of Procedure, and the extension of Dominguez’s mandate. His mandate will be extended from 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2031, subject to final approval at the 35th session of the Assembly.

Ukraine participates in the Council’s work as an observer. The results of the session were called a diplomatic success achieved with the participation of the Ministry and the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK.

As USM recently wrote, Ukraine and its partners are developing projects for escorting ships in the Black Sea.