19 April 2024 (Lloyd's List) - INDUSTRY groups are urging the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to help protect seafarers as innocent crews continue to be targeted in the Middle East.
The move comes after the recent seizure of MSC Aries (IMO: 9857169) by Iranian forces northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, and follows months of attacks on commercial shipping in the Middle East.
Sixteen organisations wrote to Guterres protesting the “intolerable” situation that has unraveled in recent months and called for more military assets to be deployed to protect shipping and seafarers.
“Shipping is not a target with no victims. Innocent seafarers have been killed, seafarers are being held hostage. This would be unacceptable on land and it is unacceptable at sea,” they wrote.
“The world would be outraged if four airliners were seized and held hostage with innocent souls onboard. Regrettably, there does not seem to be the same response or concern for the four commercial vessels and their crews being held hostage.”
The groups called for “enhanced coordinated military presence, missions and patrols in the region,” and urged Guterres to direct efforts at releasing the crews being held hostage.
“We ask that all efforts possible are brought to bear to release the seafarers and protect the safe transit of ships.”
Dozens of ships had since come under attack in recent months, primarily by the Iran-backed Houthis, but also Iran, and resurgent Somali pirates.
The hijacking of the Portugal-flagged containership MSC Aries is the latest in a long list of attacks on commercial shipping that began with the hijacking of Bahamas-flagged car carrier Galaxy Leader (IMO: 9237307) in November by the Houthis, although Iran’s history of taking crews hostage dates back further.
Since hijacking Galaxy Leader, the Houthis launched scores of missiles and drones at innocent seafarers. The militants killed three crew and critically injured three others when their missiles struck the Barbados-flagged bulk carrier True Confidence (IMO: 9460784) last month.
Galaxy Leader’s crew remain captive in Yemen. Meanwhile, dozens of seafarers are also being held in Iran.
“Seafarers kept the world fed and warm during the pandemic with vital medicine, food and fuel delivered, irrespective of politics,” the letter read.
“Seafarers and the maritime sector are neutral and must not be politicised. It is the moral duty to protect seafarers.”
