International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has issued a strong condemnation following a fatal projectile attack on the cargo ship TIHAMAH off the coast of Al Mokha, Yemen, which has resulted in confirmed seafarer fatalities.
Expressing profound grief over the incident, Mr. Dominguez emphasized that civilian crews continue to pay the ultimate price for ongoing regional hostilities.
“It is with sadness and regret to know that, once again, innocent seafarers have lost their lives in an indefensible attack on international shipping. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those involved,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
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Heightened Risk Assessments: Highlighting the alarming concentration of violence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Mr. Dominguez renewed his call for shipowners and operators to strictly evaluate risks and implement established best management practices before transiting volatile corridors.
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Protection of Key Workers: Stressing that seafarers are essential workers, the IMO chief asserted that they must be guaranteed safety and security while performing their duties.
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Threat to Global Supply Chains: The continuous targeting of commercial vessels not only escalates geopolitical tensions but directly imperils the global logistics networks and supply chains upon which nations worldwide depend.
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Call for Captive Releases: The Secretary-General also renewed his appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers still held captive following historical and recent piracy and conflict-related attacks in the region.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Dominguez reminded the international community that safeguarding the lives of maritime personnel remains a fundamental obligation under international law and a collective responsibility shared by all nations.
