Leading global shipping associations have issued a joint statement condemning the recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, which have resulted in the loss of innocent seafarers’ lives. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), INTERCARGO, and INTERTANKO have come together in a unified message urging for greater protection of maritime routes and personnel.
In recent days, two vessels were targeted in the region, one was sunk, while the other sustained severe damage. Both attacks were described as acts of “callous disregard” for civilian life, underscoring the escalating danger faced by seafarers navigating this critical global trade corridor.
The industry groups echoed the condemnation expressed by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and called on all governments and relevant authorities to prioritise the safety of seafarers, who continue to transport vital goods, food, and energy across volatile waters.
