VIDEO: Shipping industry appalled by ongoing Houthi attacks

Video surfaced showing Houthi attack on MV tutor with a drone boat loaded with explosives. This attack ultimately led to the sinking of the ship, which has now been confirmed by UKMTO. This attack and the subsequent attack on the MV Verbenaunderscore the deadly nature of ongoing attacks and outrage and fear is growing in the shipping industry.

CENTCOM’s efforts to weaken the Houthis’ capabilities continue. On June 19, it said: “Over the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthis’ unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in the Red Sea.” Separately, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed a ground control station and a command and control node in Houthis-controlled territory in Yemen.

Unfortunately, the Houthis seem to be all too successful in acquiring weapons. In these circumstances, the shipping industry itself can do little other than speak out about the seriousness of the situation.

The attack on the tutor was immediately condemned by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, who issued the following statement:

I am once again appalled that seafarers continue to be victims of attacks and injuries while doing their job. It is with deep sadness that I learned that a crew member of the merchant vessel Tutor is currently missing following an attack in the Red Sea.

My thoughts and those of IMO are with the crew member’s family.

I strongly condemn any kind of attack on international shipping, regardless of the motivation or reason.

I call on all governments and relevant organisations to provide the greatest possible assistance to the affected seafarers and to spare no efforts to find a solution to this crisis.

Things cannot continue like this. Everyone will feel the negative impact if international shipping can no longer operate as usual. But our main commitment is to ensure the safety of all seafarers.”

In light of the ongoing attacks, the shipping industry’s leading trade associations have now issued a joint statement condemning the attacks:

The maritime community is appalled and deeply saddened by the tragic news that another seafarer is believed to have been killed in a drone attack on board the MV Tutor in the Red Sea on Wednesday 12 June. We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms as they directly violate the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the seafarer who tragically lost his life. It is unfortunate that innocent seafarers are attacked while simply doing their job, a vital work that keeps the world warm, fed and clothed.

This is the second deadly attack that has put our seafarers in the crosshairs of geopolitical conflict. Three seafarers tragically lost their lives in the attack on the True Confidence earlier this year. And we must not forget the crew members of the Galaxy Leader and the MSC Aries who are still being held captive.

We also strongly condemn the attack on the cargo ship Verbena on Thursday 13 June, in which a sailor was seriously injured by an anti-ship cruise missile.

This is an unacceptable situation and these attacks must stop immediately. We call on influential states in the region to protect our innocent seafarers and swiftly de-escalate the situation in the Red Sea. We have heard the condemnation and appreciate the words of support, but we call for urgent action to stop the unlawful attacks on these essential workers and this vital industry.

We hope that on this year’s World Seafarer’s Day on Tuesday 25 June, the world will take a moment to recognise the immense contribution that seafarers make to the global economy and acknowledge the unjust circumstances they face in the Red Sea and around the world.

The co-signatories of the declaration are the following shipping industry associations:

• Asian Shipowners Association (ASA),
• BIMCO,
• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA),
• European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA),
• INTERMANAGER,
• International Association of Dry Cargo Ship Owners (INTERCARGO),
• International Association of Ports (IAPH),
• International Chamber of Shipping (ICS),
• International Federation of Captains Associations (IFSMA),
• International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC),
• International Maritime Pilot Association (IMPA),
• International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA),
• INTERTANK,
• The Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA),
• World Maritime Council (WSC).