Mr Dominguez said: “The
continuous attacks on ships and seafarers in the Red Sea are endangering
innocent human lives, affecting the entire shipping industry and therefore the
global economy. International shipping carries around 80% of trade in goods in
the world and the Red Sea is one of the main shipping routes. All countries are affected by disruptions
to international shipping.
The countries in the region have been
greatly affected. Last week, I travelled to Djibouti, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia
and Yemen, to discuss the situation with Government representatives and
consider how IMO could further support them.
I
will continue to engage with all IMO Member States, UN agencies and
stakeholders to ensure that the principle of freedom of navigation is
re-established in the interests of all parties.
These visits represent a message of
support from the IMO to all those who work every day to maintain international
shipping.
It is
through discussions with all the countries that we will be able to protect
seafarers and build a resilient and sustainable maritime transport system. This
region has a strategic role and great potential for development to enable
maritime transport to become more sustainable.