IMO Secretary-General urges “constructive dialogue” amid renewed Red Sea attacks.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), has called for intensified diplomatic efforts following a renewed wave of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea.

Addressing the IMO Council in London, Dominguez expressed dismay over recent assaults on the vessels Magic Seas and Eternity C, both targeted on July 06 and 07. At least three fatalities and several injuries have been reported aboard Eternity C, while all 22 crewmembers of Magic Seas were safely rescued.

“After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation. Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause“. Dominguez said the IMO is committed in engaging all parties who may help mitigate such threats. “I appeal to all of you to step up efforts, because the only way to address these geopolitical conflicts affecting the shipping sector is through constructive dialogue“.

According to IMO data confirmed by flag states, at least 69 attacks on international shipping, linked to broader geopolitical tensions in the region, were recorded between November 2023 and October 2024. This week’s incidents mark the first since October.

Earlier on 06^th. July, 2025 – a planned assault, by the Houthi militants off the southwest coast of Yemen, on the Liberian-flagged “Magic Seas”, was the first such incident reported. Hours later the crew, of the ill-fated bulk carrier hit by gunfire, drones and missiles in the Red Sea on Sunday, were forced to abandon the vessel and were rescued by a passing ship, maritime security firms reiterated.

The ship was first targeted by gunfire and self-propelled grenades launched from eight small boats, with armed security on the ship returning fire, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and British security firm Ambrey said in advisories. Officials at maritime security company Diaplous and Ambrey, in a separate advisory, said the ship was later attacked by four unmanned surface vessels and targeted with missiles. “Two of the USVs impacted the port side of the vessel, damaging the vessel’s cargo“, Ambrey added. UKMTO said the attack resulted in a fire onboard.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis launched more than 100 attacks targeting shipping from November 2023, saying they were acting in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war with Hamas. Tensions in the Middle East remain prevalent over the war in Gaza and after the 12-day Israel-Iran war and airstrikes by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Again, the very next day, i.e., 07^th. of July, 2025, have witnessed a gruesome incident – where Four seafarers on the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier “Eternity C” were killed in a drone and speedboat attack off Yemen. “Eternity C”, with 22 crew members, 21 Filipinos and one Russian, on board, was attacked with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades fired from manned speed boats.

“The pause in Houthi activity did not necessarily indicate a change in underlying intent. As long as the conflict in Gaza persists, vessels with affiliations, both perceived and actual, will continue to face elevated risks“, said Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence with the Britain-based maritime risk management company Vanguard Tech.

Filipino seafarers, who form one of the world’s largest pools of merchant mariners, have been urged to exercise their right to refuse to sail in “high-risk, war-like” areas, including the Red Sea after the latest strikes, the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers said on Tuesday.

Shipping traffic through the region has declined by around 50% from normal levels since the first Houthi attacks in 2023, according to Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer with shipping association BIMCO. “This reduction in traffic has persisted due to the ongoing unpredictability of the security situation. As such, BIMCO does not anticipate the recent attacks will significantly alter current shipping patterns”, Larsen said.

Team Maverick