IMO – Red Sea Safety

By R. Anil Kumar

• IMO has adopted appropriate guidance aimed at addressing maritime security, as well as piracy and armed robbery against ships

• Seafarer safety is paramount in the context of the Red Sea and attacks on international shipping condemnable

• The 3 aims of Maritime Security-Economic development (e.g. connected to blue economy) National Security (e.g. connected to seapower) Human security (e.g. connected to human trafficking)

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION:

Shipping is perhaps the most international of all the world’s great industries – and one of the most dangerous. It has always been recognized that the best way of improving safety at sea is by developing international regulations that are followed by all shipping nations.

Speaking on the attacks on Cargo Ships in the Red Sea, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General, Mr. Arsenio Antonio Dominguez, condemned the attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area and reiterated the strong commitment of the International Maritime Organization to protect seafarers, ships and cargoes to ensure the safety and security of global supply chains.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council during its first open meeting on the continuing attacks against commercial shipping in the area, Mr. Dominguez underscored that ships must be allowed to trade worldwide unhindered and in accordance with international law.

He highlighted the importance of this vital shipping lane, which records around 15% of international

Strategically connecting Europe and Asia, the Red Sea stretches from the Suez Canal through the Bab el Mandeb Strait to the Gulf of Aden. Its waters constitute one of the most critical maritime routes enabling global trade but also presenting immense opportunities for development and prosperity in the region.

However, increasing regional instability, conflict, piracy and transnational organized crime endanger the freedom of navigation of vessels transiting through those waters and limit investment into port infrastructure and maritime commerce, shipping trade.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the call for de-escalation to ensure safety of our seafarers, freedom of navigation and stability of supply chains,” he said.

Since the beginning of November 2023, a number of attacks have been launched against commercial vessels in the Red Sea area. While initial target ships were linked to Israel, this is no longer the case.

At least 18 shipping companies have already decided to re-route their vessels around South Africa, adding 10 days to the journey, negatively affecting trade and increasing freight rates.

IMO continues to closely monitor the situation, in collaboration with Member States, partners from the industry and navies.

He said that seafarers are innocent victims in the volatile Red Sea situation. Secondly, freedom of navigation must be upheld, to guarantee global trade and the flow of goods by sea.

Further, there must be caution and restraint to avoid further escalation of the situation in the Red Sea and broader area, Mr. Dominguez said, referencing the UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024) on the Red Sea.

As a practical measure, Mr. Dominguez encouraged ships to continue sending initial reports when clearing Suez or when crossing boundaries in the Indian Ocean, which is covered under the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operation Centre and other relevant centres in the region.