IMO chief calls for urgent action as Houthi attacks threaten global shipping

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has completed a diplomatic tour of Red Sea countries to address the escalating crisis threatening global trade and the safety of seafarers.

The crisis began nearly a year ago with the Houthi hijacking of the Galaxy Leader on November 17, 2023. Since then, the rebel group has carried out more than a hundred drone and missile attacks on ships in the area, ostensibly in support of the Palestinians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

So far, the attacks have killed four people, sunk two ships and caused significant damage to several others. The severity of the situation has forced many shipping companies to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transit times, emissions and operating costs.

“The continued attacks on ships and seafarers in the Red Sea put innocent lives at risk, impact the entire shipping industry and therefore the global economy,” said Secretary-General Dominguez, who stressed that international shipping accounts for about 80% of global trade in goods.

During his diplomatic mission, which included visits to Djibouti, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Dominguez engaged in high-level discussions with government representatives. The talks focused on assessing the situation and exploring ways in which IMO can provide further support to affected countries.

Dominguez stressed that he "will continue to work with all IMO member states, UN agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the principle of freedom of navigation is re-established in the interests of all parties."

“This region has a strategic role and great potential for development to enable maritime transport to become more sustainable,” Dominguez added.

The IMO chief’s efforts come as Yemen’s Houthi rebels have announced their intention to impose a naval blockade on Israeli ships. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree has warned that they will not recognize any changes in ownership of ships and will target ships belonging to, linked to or heading to Israel, further complicating efforts to restore stability to shipping lanes in the region.