Seafarers have experienced prolonged captivity, with reports highlighting a spike in attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has urgently called for international action to secure the release of 44 seafarers currently held by pirates and armed robbers in Somali waters. These sailors are confined aboard three ships—the MT Honour 25, Eureka, and Sward—captured in separate incidents between April and May along the Somali coast.
Dominguez underscored the severe humanitarian crises facing these crews, who are dangerously low on food and water and live under the constant threat of violence. Speaking to the IMO Council in London, he emphasized that piracy and armed robbery remain significant threats, necessitating vigilance and coordinated global action. He requested support to facilitate the safe release of the seafarers and reaffirmed his dedication to collaborating with national and regional authorities, as well as industry partners.
Additionally, he urged shipowners to prioritize crew safety by implementing Best Management Practices for Maritime Security and conducting comprehensive risk assessments before navigating the region. Recent statistics gauge an alarming increase in maritime security threats, with 24 incidents of piracy and robbery reported in just three months, escalating the urgency for enhanced anti-piracy cooperation among countries in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
