SINGAPORE: The safety and well-being of seafarers caught in the Middle East conflict are at the “top of our mind”, and that the authorities are working hard to ensure their safe return, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on Tuesday (Apr 21).
As for Singapore’s decision not to negotiate with any parties on the right for seafarers to pass the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Gan said it was important for Singapore to “stay on course”.
“Sometimes you have to make a hard decision, that this is a matter of principle, that we cannot negotiate something that is a matter of right,” he said during a fireside chat as part of the Singapore Maritime Week.
He was answering questions from two audience members, who were from the maritime industry and had asked about the welfare and evacuation plans for seafarers trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.
In his response, Mr Gan said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is working “very hard” to maintain contact with the ship owners and operators to ensure the safety and security of our seafarers on board our ships”.
