The maritime industry is facing escalating threats as attacks on merchant vessels intensify in West Asia, prompting calls for the United Nations to step up protection measures for global supply lines.
This appeal was made through a letter unveiled on Friday by the leading shipping associations.
Regional tensions have surged following Israel’s military operations in Gaza since October, leading to frequent confrontations between Israel or the United States and Iranian-backed factions in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
The letter, addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, underscored the increasing peril to maritime safety, particularly highlighting the April 13 capture of the MSC Aries container ship near the United Arab Emirates.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing risks seafarers face, turning them into targets in geopolitical conflicts.
The shipping industry’s communication detailed the dire consequences of such hostilities, including the loss of life and hostage-taking of crew members.
It drew a parallel with the aviation industry, stressing that the lack of similar outrage and concern for maritime incidents is regrettable.
Adding a human element to the crisis, India’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the return of an Indian female mariner from the MSC Aries, while efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining 16 Indian crew members still aboard.
The letter strongly emphasised the neutrality of seafarers and the maritime sector, urging that these should not be subjected to political games.
The associations are advocating for a significant increase in coordinated military presence and patrols in the region to safeguard seafarers from further attacks.
The call for action comes in the wake of recent assaults on shipping operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, which pose a significant threat to the continuity of the global maritime transportation network.
There has yet to be an official response from U.N. officials regarding the industry’s plea for more robust protective measures.
With Inputs From Reuters
