**Title: IMO Condemns Recent Attacks on Shipping in the Red Sea**
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has issued a strong condemnation of recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, emphasizing the severe risks posed to seafarers and the potential disruption to global supply chains already strained by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. This warning follows assaults on two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and Layla, which were claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez described the attacks as "indefensible," highlighting their implications for international shipping security, marine environments, and the stability of global supply chains. Dominguez's remarks came after Saudi authorities confirmed that the Encelia was struck, resulting in a fire on the vessel's bow. Fortunately, all crew members were reported safe, and measures were promptly taken to secure the tanker and mitigate any environmental damage.
Reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency indicated that another tanker in the vicinity was hit by an unidentified projectile, with the crew managing to extinguish the fire without any reported casualties or environmental impact. However, the Houthi claim regarding the Layla could not be independently verified, as reported by Reuters.
Dominguez stressed the importance of protecting seafarers, who he described as civilians engaged in vital work that supports economies and communities worldwide. He urged ship operators to carefully evaluate risks before navigating the region, asserting that seafarers should never be endangered amid conflicts or instability.
In light of the recent attacks, commercial shipping decisions have already been affected. Five tankers altered their routes in the Red Sea following the Houthi warning, and war-risk premiums for voyages through the southern part of the waterway have surged from approximately 0.3 percent of a vessel's value to over 1 percent. For some Saudi-linked ships and vessels calling at southern Saudi ports, rates have reportedly reached as high as 3 percent. Such increases can translate into significant additional costs for shipping companies, with even minor adjustments potentially adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the expense of a week-long voyage.
The renewed threats in the Red Sea have prompted shipping companies to reassess risks associated with both the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz. Dominguez also reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of 44 seafarers currently held by pirates and armed robbers aboard the MT Honour 25, Eureka, and Sward. These vessels were hijacked in separate incidents off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden between April and May.
According to data from the IMO, there were 24 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the three months leading up to July 6, showcasing a troubling trend of increasing violence and the use of more dangerous weapons against crews. Dominguez emphasized that ensuring the safety of the captives is a fundamental obligation under international law and a collective responsibility of the global community.
He expressed concern over the potential for pollution resulting from the recent attacks, as well as earlier incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. The IMO plans to continue monitoring the situation and offering assistance where necessary. Dominguez concluded with a call for de-escalation, stating that it remains the only viable solution to the ongoing tensions affecting maritime safety and security in the region.