IMO Condemns Attacks on International Shipping in the Red Sea
London (ANTARA) - The latest attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea region are unjustifiable and threaten the safety of seafarers, the security of maritime trade, and global supply chains, said International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez on Thursday (23/7).
“I strongly condemn the latest reported attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area. These attacks are unjustifiable,” Dominguez said in a statement. He stressed that seafarers are civilians performing essential work that sustains economies and societies worldwide. He also urged ship operators to conduct thorough risk assessments before transiting the area.
“Seafarers must not be placed in harm’s way or become collateral targets in situations of conflict or instability,” the secretary-general said. Dominguez also reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers still being held hostage following acts of piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. He stated that their safety is a fundamental obligation under international law and a shared responsibility of the global community.
“The Red Sea is a vital maritime artery for international trade,” he said, warning that continued attacks on shipping risk escalating tensions, further disrupting commercial routes, and undermining freedom of navigation. “De-escalation is the only solution,” Dominguez said. He also expressed concern over the potential for pollution arising from recent incidents in the Red Sea and a previous incident in the Strait of Hormuz. “The IMO will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide assistance as required,” he said.
Dominguez’s statement follows a series of attacks and security incidents involving commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea area, reigniting concerns over security in one of the world’s most vital maritime trade routes. A tanker caught fire off the coast of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (22/7) after being struck by an unknown projectile, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Around the same time, the Houthi group in Yemen claimed to have launched a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. According to the IMO, more than 20 incidents of attempted or actual piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in the three months leading up to 6 July. The types of weapons used are becoming increasingly dangerous, and violence against seafarers is escalating.