Major shipping organizations, including the International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO, have condemned recent attacks on vessels in the Red Sea that resulted in seafarer fatalities and heightened security concerns. The joint statement highlighted a "callous disregard for the lives of innocent civilian seafarers" following the sinking of two ships this week.
The Liberian-flagged Eternity C was attacked multiple times, leading to the deaths of four crew members; 15 others remain missing after the vessel sank. The Magic Seas, also Liberian-flagged, was attacked but all crew members were evacuated before it sank. Both ships were operated by Greek firms.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of international law and urging for intensified diplomatic efforts to address the geopolitical conflicts affecting the shipping sector. The Joint Maritime Information Centre reported that the attacks involved small arms fire and sea drones, marking the first such incidents since October 2024.
In response to the ongoing threats, industry groups are urging shipping companies to conduct thorough risk assessments, especially regarding any ties to Israeli ports, as shipping traffic in the region has plummeted by about 60% since early 2024.
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