After a period of uneasy calm in one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, the Red Sea is once again in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called for renewed diplomatic efforts and “constructive dialogue” following a new spate of attacks on merchant ships in the region.
Recent incidents highlight human cost
Addressing the IMO Council in London this week, Secretary-General Dominguez expressed deep concern over two serious attacks that took place on 6 and 7 July. The bulk carriers Magic Seas and Eternity C were both targeted.
Tragically, at least three lives were lost and several people were injured aboard the Eternity C. Meanwhile, all 22 crew members of the Magic Seas were safely rescued—a small consolation in the face of escalating danger.
“Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause,” Dominguez said, underscoring the human and environmental stakes involved. He decried the renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation.
A call for intensified diplomacy
The Secretary-General’s remarks come at a critical time. The Red Sea is not merely a regional concern; it is a vital artery of global trade. Any threat to shipping here carries significant economic repercussions, disrupts supply chains, and raises insurance costs.
Dominguez called on IMO Member States and stakeholders to step up diplomatic efforts. “The only way to address these geopolitical conflicts affecting the shipping sector is through constructive dialogue,” he said. His words served as both an appeal and a warning, recognising that military responses alone are unlikely to deliver lasting safety.
Member States voice solidarity
The IMO Council session in London drew broad attention. Several Member States used the floor to express solidarity with the victims and condemn the violence. Council Chair Victor Jiménez of Spain echoed the Secretary-General’s call for dialogue, reinforcing a shared message that collective action is urgently needed.
Context of escalating attacks
According to IMO data verified by flag States, at least 69 attacks on international shipping occurred between November 2023 and October 2024. These latest incidents are the first to be recorded since October last year, ending a brief lull that many had hoped would hold. The attacks are widely seen as part of a wider pattern of geopolitical instability in the region.
Ongoing IMO Council discussions
The renewed violence casts a shadow over the IMO Council’s 134th session, which is also reviewing the organisation’s budget, strategic plan, and other critical matters. Security of shipping lanes remains an urgent priority on the agenda, reminding delegates that safe and reliable maritime transport underpins the global economy.
Looking ahead
These renewed attacks are a stark reminder of the vulnerability of shipping routes in conflict-prone regions. As the IMO and its Member States continue discussions, the industry watches closely for signs of coordinated diplomatic solutions. It is a clear moment for global stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and embrace genuine dialogue—because at stake are not just vessels or cargoes, but the lives of seafarers who keep world trade moving.
