Yemen Monitor/Newsroom
The shipping industry in a statement published on Friday said that commercial ships and seafarers are facing increasing risks at sea with the escalation of attacks in the Middle East, and the United Nations must do more to protect supply chains.
Tensions have escalated across the Middle East since the start of the Israeli campaign in Gaza in October, with Israel or its ally the United States repeatedly clashing with Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
In a letter sent on Thursday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the leading shipping industry associations in the world said that Iran’s seizure of the container ship “MSC Aries” on April 13 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates “shines a spotlight once again on an intolerable situation where shipping has become a target.”
The letter stated: “Innocent seafarers have been killed, and seafarers have been taken as hostage.”
The world would be outraged if four planes were hijacked and held hostage with innocent lives on board. Unfortunately, there seems to be no same response or concern (for ships and their crews).”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that an Indian woman who was working as a seafarer on board the MSC Aries had returned to the country, adding that they were in touch with the sixteen other Indian crew members who are still being held on board the ship.
The industry’s statement said, “Seafarers and the maritime sector are neutral and should not be politicized.”
The letter added: “Considering the continuous and serious threat within the region, we urge you to enhance coordinated military presence, missions, and patrols in the region to protect our seafarers from any potential further aggression.”
UN officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen have also affected global maritime and transportation.
Recently Iran has also seized other ships in the international waters, increasing the risks to commercial shipping in the region.
