The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, commenced the 10th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 10) and urged the prompt release of the Galaxy Leader vessel along with its crew.
Speaking at the opening of the 10th Session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction Secretary-General took the opportunity to highlight the situation in the Red Sea.
To remind, on November 19, while travelling through the Red Sea, armed attackers boarded the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier flying the Bermuda flag and leased by the Japanese shipping corporation NYK, without authorization using a helicopter.
I wish to assure you that I fully recognize the critical importance of this Sub-Committee and its pivotal role in ensuring IMO regulations provide for ships that are inherently safe by designs and constructions, including structural safety and stability.
..Arsenio said.
It is with great concern that I must highlight the regrettable situation developing in the Red Sea on my first meeting as Secretary-General. I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate my strong condemnation of attacks against international shipping in the area and call for an immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew.
..Secretary-General added.
According to Arsenio, he will continue to reiterate his three key messages on the situation: seafarers are innocent victims, and their safety is paramount; the principle of freedom of navigation should be uphold and allow safe trade of essential goods; and call for de-escalation of the situation.
He added that this year’s World Maritime theme is: “Navigating the future: safety first!”. This theme underscores our unwavering commitment to upholding the highest safety standards across all aspect of this Organization’s regulatory work while facing the challenges of a fast-changing world, in particular with respect to developments in technology, artificial intelligence and new threats facing the shipping industry.
