Following a resurgence of violent attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged intensified diplomatic engagement to address the escalating threat to maritime safety and freedom of navigation.
Speaking at the 134th session of the IMO Council in London, Dominguez expressed deep concern over the recent assaults on the Magic Seas and Eternity C, which occurred on 6 and 7 July.
The Eternity C attack resulted in at least three fatalities and multiple injuries, while all 22 crew members aboard the Magic Seas were safely rescued.
Dominguez reaffirmed the IMO’s commitment to fostering cooperation among all relevant parties to help reduce the risk of further incidents, emphasizing that constructive dialogue remains the only viable path forward in resolving the underlying geopolitical tensions.
Member States responded with strong messages of solidarity and support for the victims, while IMO Council Chair Victor Jiménez of Spain echoed the Secretary-General’s condemnation of the attacks and his appeal for dialogue and diplomacy.
According to IMO data verified by flag States, at least 69 attacks targeting international shipping occurred between November 2023 and October 2024, all linked to broader regional instability.
The assaults this week are the first recorded since October, breaking a period of relative calm in the high-risk zone.
