The International Maritime Organization’s top official has issued an urgent call for the unconditional release of more than 90 seafarers currently held captive by pirates and armed robbers operating in the Gulf of Aden, according to Ship & Bunker.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez made the demand in an emailed statement on Monday, following the reported hijacking of the vessel Seamull on August 20. That incident brought the total number of ships seized by pirates in the region to six, Ship & Bunker reports.
Seafarers Facing ‘Constant Uncertainty and Threat’
According to Dominguez’s statement, more than 90 seafarers are now being held captive, with their lives subject to what he described as “constant uncertainty and threat.” The IMO chief noted that those held face limited access to adequate food, fresh water, medical support, and other essential services, while their families endure what he called an “unimaginable ordeal.”
“I demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those being held captive,” Dominguez said, as reported by Ship & Bunker. “No seafarer should face violence, intimidation or exploitation simply for doing their jobs and keeping global trade moving.”
Call for Stronger Naval Cooperation
Dominguez characterized the deteriorating maritime security situation in the region as demanding urgent attention. He called for stronger security preparedness and sustained international naval cooperation to protect merchant vessels and their crews, according to the report.
The statement does not specify further details on the identities of the vessels involved beyond the Seamull, nor does it outline specific new measures being taken by IMO or member states in response.
Does This Matter to You?
The resurgence of piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden, as highlighted by the IMO Secretary-General, signals renewed security risks for vessels transiting one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Vessel operators, charterers, and crewing agencies with exposure to this route may need to factor heightened piracy risk into voyage planning and crew welfare considerations.
The call for increased naval cooperation also suggests that international patrol and escort activity in the region could intensify, which may affect transit timing and routing decisions for vessels operating in or near the Gulf of Aden. The source material does not detail specific operational guidance or timelines for any naval response.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
