Sixteen maritime industry associations and social partners (ASA, BIMCO, CLIA, ECSA, INTERCARGO, INTERMANAGER, INTERTANKO, IAPH, ICS, IFSMA, IMCA, IMEC, IPTA, ITF, FONASBA and WSC) have co-signed a letter calling for all member states to be formally reminded of their responsibilities under international law, and ask for the release the seafarers and to protect the safe transit of ships.
The maritime industry, represented by the organizations behind the letter, expresses gratitude for the recognition given by the UN Security Council and the personal attention to the shipping industry and the importance of free movement as defined by international law. The industry also extends thanks and applause to IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez for his hard work in raising the profile of shipping and the contributions of seafarers.
However, the incident over the weekend, in which the vessel MSC Aries was seized by Iranian forces at 06:37 UTC – 50 nautical miles north-east of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, 13 April, has once again emphasized the unacceptable situation where shipping is targeted, the letter states.
Innocent seafarers have lost their lives, and others are being held hostage. Such actions would be deemed unacceptable on land and should be so at sea. The world would be outraged if four airliners were seized and held hostage with innocent people on board.
… said the Organizations
Unfortunately, there appears to be a lack of the same response or concern for the four commercial vessels and their crews being held hostage. Seafarers have kept the world supplied with essential medicine, food, and fuel during the pandemic, regardless of politics.
Seafarers and the maritime sector remain neutral and should not be politicized. It is a moral duty to protect seafarers.
Furthermore, given the continuously evolving and severe threat profile in the area, there is a call for enhanced coordinated military presence, missions, and patrols in the region to protect seafarers from any further possible aggression.
The industry associations request that all member states be formally reminded of their responsibilities under international law. They also call for all possible efforts to be made to release the seafarers and ensure the safe transit of ships.
