LONDON: Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime safety and enhancing the resilience of global supply chains during its participation in the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation in London.
The Kingdom underscored that its participation comes amid ongoing regional developments, including those related to the Strait of Hormuz and their implications for maritime navigation and international trade, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.
It stressed the importance of international cooperation to ensure the smooth flow of shipping and the sustainability of global supply chains.
Saudi Arabia welcomed the adoption of a draft MSC resolution it sponsored, highlighting the importance of its provisions in addressing threats to maritime safety and safeguarding the welfare of seafarers, while urging the committee to take the necessary measures within its mandate.
The Kingdom also reiterated its support for resolutions issued by the Extraordinary Session of the IMO Council condemning attacks that threaten global trade security, affirming that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway where freedom of passage is guaranteed under international law.
In this context, Saudi Arabia outlined a series of proactive measures and initiatives undertaken by its maritime and logistics ecosystem to ensure operational continuity.
These include activating alternative routes, enhancing transit services, and maintaining uninterrupted bookings from shipping lines.
Additional efforts include the launch of more than 19 new maritime services and shipping routes to strengthen connectivity, the organisation of over 40 workshops and coordination meetings with public and private sector partners, and measures to facilitate the movement of goods and containers while enhancing regional logistics integration.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the international maritime community under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation, contributing to the stability of global trade and the long-term efficiency and sustainability of the maritime sector.
