International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, has completed a series of visits to countries in the Red Sea area.
The Secretary-General visited the Red Sea countries to discuss the current situation and express support for freedom of navigation as well as concern for innocent seafarers, particularly those who remain captive with the MV Galaxy Leader. Dominguez stated that the ongoing attacks on ships and seafarers in the Red Sea are putting innocent lives at risk, impacting the entire shipping industry and, consequently, the global economy.
IMO Secretary-General visits Red Sea countries: https://t.co/ighMk9omAt #RedSea #MaritimeSecurity pic.twitter.com/Unmn4VsxUI
— International Maritime Organization (@IMOHQ) November 4, 2024
He highlighted that approximately 80% of global trade relies on international shipping, with the Red Sea serving as one of the primary shipping routes, meaning that any disruption affects countries worldwide.
The countries in the region have been greatly affected. Last week, I travelled to Djibouti, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, to discuss the situation with Government representatives and consider how IMO could further support them. I will continue to engage 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.
… he said
According to Dominguez, these visits serve as a message of solidarity from the IMO to everyone working daily to uphold international shipping. He concluded by asserting that only through dialogue with all countries in the region can seafarers be protected, and a resilient, sustainable maritime transport system be developed.
