Recent piracy incidents and attacks on international shipping
Speaking at the opening of the eight-first session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee on 18 March 2024, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez stated:
"The continued attacks by the Houthis against seafarers in the Red Sea are categorically unacceptable.
I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the attack on the vessel True Confidence. I would also like to extend my condolences to the delegations of the Philippines and Vietnam. My thoughts and those of the entire IMO family are with the families of the victims and with the seafarers who suffered serious injuries.
I strongly condemn all attacks. There should be no more casualties.
The pollution caused by the sinking of the Rubymar after it was attacked is another example of the negative and unnecessary effects. And whilst we work tirelessly in reducing emissions from international maritime transport, ships are being forced to navigate longer routes, thereby increasing such emissions in order to guarantee the safety of seafarers and maintain the global distribution of essential goods for the benefit of the world’s population.
The whole world depends on international shipping and seafarers. Without seafarers there will be no shipping and therefore no trade.
It is unacceptable to hold innocent seafarers as hostages. I call for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. Tomorrow these seafarers will have been held hostage for four months.
The situation is now even further complicated by the fact that 23 crew members of Bangladesh nationality aboard the MV Abdullah are being held hostage after the attack carried out by Somali pirates on 11 March 2024, approximately 500 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. I am closely monitoring the situation and express my appreciation for the efforts of Member States involved in Operation ATALANTA to coordinate the most efficient and effective action.
After this negative news, I would like to congratulate the Indian Navy on the successful release of the 17 crew members of MV Ruen, who had been held by pirates since December 2023.
I call on all of you to redouble your efforts and reach out to those holding seafarers and ships hostage - and causing these attacks - to stop and allow the necessary trade for everyone on this planet to continue in the customary safe and secure manner."
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