The International Maritime Organization (IMO) warned its member countries to avoid dangerous actions against commercial vessels and the lives of seafarers. This request comes after 80 attacks on commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of recent conflicts in the Middle East on February 28.
Casualties and Consequences
These attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 22 seafarers and injured many others. IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, warned during the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers about the serious impacts of geopolitical tensions on the maritime transport industry.
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Dominguez stated at this meeting: "We have reached a point where these conflicts have become an excuse to attack commercial vessels and innocent seafarers. Do not use these conflicts as a pretext to attack innocent seafarers." He also emphasized that the attacks in these areas do not pertain to a specific actor and are carried out from various countries against commercial vessels.
Continued Attacks in Other Regions
In addition to the Strait of Hormuz, recent attacks on commercial vessels have also been reported in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, resulting in human casualties. Furthermore, in the Red Sea, another attack on a commercial ship on August 11 by the Houthis left four dead.
Dominguez advised member countries to communicate the impacts of these attacks on international maritime transport to their governments and to discuss them in appropriate international forums. He added: "When transport operations are disrupted, the consequences extend beyond the maritime sector and affect economies, supply chains, and the daily lives of people."
The IMO Secretary-General also urged member countries to address the root causes of these geopolitical conflicts and provide suitable solutions. He emphasized to the representatives present at the meeting that the International Maritime Organization is ready to assist in providing practical solutions to the maritime transport industry.
The Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers has convened from September 14 to 18 in London to discuss safety issues related to the maritime transport of dangerous goods, bulk cargoes, and containers.
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