The Secretary-General of the United Nations maritime safety agency, the IMO (International Maritime Organisation), has issued a strong warning about the deterioration of maritime security worldwide.
"From the Black Sea to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, this is detrimental to us all. But it is particularly distressing for thousands of innocent seafarers," IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez says in a statement highlighting that maritime security threats are on the rise globally.
"Following six months of uncertainty and thousands of seafarers stuck in the Persian Gulf since the current conflict in the Middle East began on 28 February this year, at least 70 attacks on international shipping have been verified by IMO, with 19 seafarers killed.
"Thousands of seafarers continue to live and work under conditions of heightened risk and m uncertainty. While some ships and crews have been able to leave the Persian Gulf, up to 400 and around 6,000 seafarers have been unable to depart safely. The impacts of this crisis are grave – both in the short and long term. The disruption of vital supply chains for fuels, fertilisers and other commodities has consequences for communities and economies around the world."
In July, the IMO Council adopted a resolution on protecting vital shipping lanes, reaffirming the right of transit.
'Renewed political will and co-operation is needed to deliver on this commitment," says the Secretary General. "I call on all Member States and the shipping industry to work together with IMO and the wider United Nations system."
