IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the attacks against international shipping and has called for an immediate release of the ship, the Galaxy Leader, and its crew.
Addressing the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction, held between 22-26 January 2024, at the IMO HQ in London, UK, the Secretary General highlighted the “regrettable” situation in the Red Sea.
“I will continue to reiterate my three key messages on the situation: seafarers are innocent victims, and their safety is paramount; the principle of freedom of navigation should be uphold and allow safe trade of essential goods; and call for de-escalation of the situation,” the Secretary General told the IMO.
A later statement from the IMO added that the car-carrier Galaxy Leader and its crew was seized by Houthi groups in November 2023 and are yet to be released. The IMO continues to work closely together with governments, partners from the shipping industry and the international community to monitor the situation in the Read Sea and take actions to protect ships, cargoes and seafarers, the IMO reported.
