© Adobe Stock/Celt Studio Continued attacks on ships are further escalating tensions and threatening global supply chains. The UN is concerned about the consequences of the attack on the ship in the Red Sea for global trade Peace and Security
A strike on a merchant ship off Yemen’s southern coast that reportedly killed several sailors on Tuesday has again raised questions about the stability of global trade. The incident occurred amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which has already severely disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez called the attack “unjustified” and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
We are talking about a strike on the cargo ship Tihamah, the responsibility for which is reportedly attributed to the Yemeni Houthis. According to international maritime registries, the ship is sailing under the flag of Tanzania.
According to Dominguez, Of particular concern is the fact that the attack took place in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden areas. “Continued attacks on ships only serve to further escalate tensions and threaten global supply chains,” he said. led by Saudi Arabia.
For several years, the group has been threatening to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the most important sea routes leading to the Red Sea, and regularly attacks merchant ships. Since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the Houthis have said they are targeting ships supporting Palestinians in Gaza.
According to media reports, on July 23 representatives Ansar Allah also announced an attack on two Saudi oil tankers.
Following these strikes, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern about renewed Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and new threats to freedom of maritime navigation.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is almost stopped
The attack on Tihamah comes as shipping continues to plummet in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting Gulf countries including Iran and Oman to global markets.
According to the latest IMO data, only about seven ships passed through the strait on Sunday – almost 20 times less than the daily average before the start of the war. a reduction in the export of key goods, including oil, gas and raw materials for the production of fertilizers, as well as an increase in prices for them. for the evacuation of seafarers under the auspices of the IMO.
According to available data, almost six months after the escalation of the conflict, about 500 ships and 6 thousand crew members still remain in the Strait of Hormuz area. So far, approximately 2,900 people have been evacuated.
According to the IMO monitoring system, 65 incidents have been confirmed since the beginning of March, resulting in the deaths of 17 sailors.
In his statement, Arsenio Dominguez also called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers” held in captivity after pirate attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
“Ensuring the safety of seafarers is a fundamental obligation under international law and a shared responsibility of the entire global community,” stressed the head of the IMO.