The appeal comes after three
seafarers were killed when bulk carrier True Confidence was struck by a
missile in the Red Sea on March 6.
“We believe it is time for those shipowners who are
continuing to transit through the Red Sea to reassess the necessity of their
decision considering recent events including the sinking of Rubymar and the
tragic incident onboard True Confidence,” said Nautilus.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation
(ITF) also called for ships to be diverted around the the Cape of Good Hope to
protect seafarers until their safety can be guaranteed in the Red Sea.
Nautilus said it understands the commercial
pressure that leads ships to take the Red Sea and Suez Canal, but that commercial interests should not
take precedence over the safety and lives of seafarers.
The route through the Red Sea and Suez canal is
shorter for many of the main global trade routes between Asia and Northern
Europe, saving time at sea and money in fuel and other operational costs.
“Any vessel could potentially come under attack and
shipowners should not be complacent when seafarers’ lives are at risk,” said
Nautilus.