IMO Issues New Call for Seafarer Safety

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued a new statement on maritime security following the deaths of five seafarers during the rescue of the hijacked HONOUR 25 in Somali waters.

Five crew members lost their lives during the operation carried out on September 29, while several other seafarers were reportedly seriously injured. A total of 44 seafarers were rescued following operations involving the HONOUR 25, SEAMULL and EUREKA.

Dominguez said it was unacceptable for seafarers to lose their lives simply because they were doing their jobs, emphasizing that merchant ship crews are not parties to conflicts.

The IMO Secretary-General has made similar calls following attacks this year in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and off the coast of Somalia. In particular, 80 attacks against commercial vessels have been confirmed in and around the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, while at least 22 seafarers have lost their lives.

Dominguez said seafarers should not become “collateral victims” of geopolitical conflicts and called on governments to take the necessary steps to protect commercial vessels and their crews.

We must act again to combat piracy

Drawing attention to the resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Dominguez said the cooperation previously established to combat piracy in the region must be strengthened again.

“We came together in this region before to stop piracy. We must do it again; with renewed determination, targeted cooperation and the necessary resources,” Dominguez said.

The IMO Secretary-General emphasized that seafarers play a critical role in keeping global trade moving, saying, “Seafarers should not have to lose their lives because of the service they provide to the world.”