• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
The IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of over 90 crew members held after the hijacking of the vessel Seamull on August 20. In response to this situation, the International Maritime Organization urged immediate action against piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
"Challenges related to maritime transport are increasing due to the recent rise in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden. With the latest hijacking, six vessels are now being held by pirates and armed assailants in waters that are becoming too dangerous for seafarers," said Dominguez.
"Over 90 innocent seafarers are currently being held captive, their lives subjected to constant uncertainty and threat, often with limited access to adequate food, clean water, medical assistance, and other essential services. Behind each of them is a family going through an unimaginable situation, with very little reliable information about the well-being of their loved ones," he added.
"I demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those held captive. No seafarer should suffer violence, intimidation, or exploitation simply for doing their job and keeping global trade moving," he emphasized.
The senior United Nations official also remarked that "the worsening maritime security situation in the region demands urgent attention. While international attention has focused on other areas of higher tension, we cannot allow the resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters to go unaddressed. The safety and security of seafarers must remain a global priority."
In this regard, Dominguez stated that "I call on flag states and littoral states to ensure that vessels flying their flag are properly prepared to manage security risks and that crews are not exposed to avoidable dangers. This includes the implementation of industry best management practices (BMP for maritime security) and relevant IMO guidelines, including MSC.1/Circ.1601/Rev.2."
The IMO, in turn, will continue to support regional efforts led by littoral states to address this resurgence of piracy, through initiatives such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment.
The organization also affirmed that sustained international naval cooperation remains essential to protect the merchant fleet and the seafarers who comprise it. The international community has successfully confronted this threat on other occasions, and must do so again.
