A renewed wave of attacks in the Red Sea has quashed any optimism over a widespread return of merchant shipping to the region.
Houthi rebels attacked the Greek bulk vessel Eternity C, on July 7 leaving three crew members dead and several seriously injured. Another vessel, Magic Seas, was attacked on July 6 and has sunk although all 22 crew were saved.
Addressing the IMO council in London, secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez called for intensified diplomatic efforts following the attacks. “After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation,” he said. “Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause.”
He reaffirmed the IMO’s commitment to engaging all parties who may help mitigate such threats. “I appeal to all of you to step up efforts, because the only way to address these geopolitical conflicts affecting the shipping sector is through constructive dialogue.”
Word Shipping Council (WSC) president and ceo Joe Kramek supported Dominguez’s call for dialogue, to ensure the safety of seafarers. “The safety of those at sea, and the freedoms and rights of navigation, must be protected,” he said.
Kramek described these latest attacks as “shocking and unacceptable” and, in expressing his deepest condolences to the families of those who have been lost, stressed that “we cannot allow attacks on commercial ships to become normalised or weaponised as political tools”.
