LONDON: The renewed attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea region are “indefensible” and threaten the lives of seafarers, the security of maritime trade and global supply chains, according to Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
“I strongly condemn the latest reported attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea region. These attacks are indefensible,” Dominguez said in a statement.
He stressed that seafarers are civilians doing essential work supporting economies and communities worldwide, and urged ship operators to “thoroughly assess the risks” before transiting the region. “Seafarers must not be put in danger or targeted in situations of conflict or instability,” he said.
Dominguez also renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers still detained following maritime attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying their safety was a “fundamental obligation under international law and a shared responsibility of the global community.”
“The Red Sea is a vital maritime corridor for international trade,” he added, warning that continued attacks on cargo shipping risked escalating tensions, further disrupting trade routes and undermining freedom of navigation. “De-escalation is the only solution,” he added.
He also expressed concern about possible pollution caused by recent incidents in the Red Sea and previous incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. He said “IMO will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to assist as necessary.”
Translated by Chhouk Bora
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