The head of the International Maritime Organization called for collective action to protect seafarers following the deadly Houthi missile attack on the True Confidence.
Three crew members were killed and another two seriously injured in the attack on the Barbados-flagged 50,448-dwt bulker in the Gulf of Aden on Monday.
IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez said it was “deeply saddening” to follow the horrific reports of the attack.
“I extend my deepest condolences and those of the entire IMO family to the families of those who have lost their lives, and our thoughts are with those who have been injured. Innocent seafarers should never become collateral victims,” he said.
“I want to thank the efforts of all ships in the area in assisting the vessel and particularly its crew. We all need to do more to protect seafarers.
“I once again call for collective action to fortify the safety of those who serve at sea. International trade depends on international shipping and international shipping cannot go on without seafarers.”
The attack was the first fatal attack after more than 70 targeting commercial shipping since mid-November by the Iran-backed Houthi regime.
Shock and revulsion
“It seems like our luck has finally run out,” International Chamber of Shipping security lead John Stawpert said.
“The immediate response is shock and revulsion that these strikes have finally had what appears to be a serious human cost.”
Eight industry associations — including the ICS, shipowner group Bimco and tanker operator group Intertanko — said the loss of life was completely unacceptable.
“Merchant vessels crewed by civilian seafarers transporting global trade have a right to innocent passage through the region without the threat of attack,” the eight bodies said in a statement.
Seafarer union the International Transport Workers’ Federation said that the attack had confirmed their worst fears.
General secretary Stephen Cotton said: “We have consistently warned the international community and the maritime industry about the escalating risks faced by seafarers in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. Today ... we see those warnings tragically confirmed.”
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