Red Sea area
Conflict-related attacks in the Red Sea area - general information.
This page provides (non-exhaustive) relevant information and links.
The IMO Secretary-General has condemned the attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area and reiterated the strong commitment of the International Maritime Organization to protect seafarers, ships and cargoes. Seafarer safety is paramount.
Highlighted incidents
IMO is closely monitoring the incidents taking place in the Red Sea area. Download the
latest list of incidents.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. The ship with 25 seafarers were seized in the Red Sea on 19 November 2023.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has sent his deepest condolences and those of the entire IMO family to the families of those who have lost their lives, and those who have been injured on the merchant vessel
True Confidence, following an attack on the ship southwest of Aden, in Yemen. Innocent seafarers should never become collateral victims. Read the full statement
here.
The recent sinking of the vessel Rubymar represents an additional risk for the environment and maritime security. IMO is in contact with the Government of Yemen and other UN organizations to provide necessary assistance.
In the face of this environmental threat and recognizing the lack of specialized oil spill response equipment within the country to respond to a possible leak from the vessel, IMO is inviting in-kind contributions of spill response equipment in support of the Republic of Yemen. Please find the list of requested equipment in Circular Letter No.4890.
Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC)/ Jeddah Amendment
The Djibouti Code of Conduct is instrumental in supporting maritime security in the region. The DCoC brings together 20 Signatory States to work together in repressing piracy and armed robbery against ships in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. It was expanded with the Jeddah Amendment (DCoC-JA) to tackle a range of illicit activities, such arms trafficking, trafficking in narcotics, crude oil theft and human trafficking and smuggling. The initiative focuses on regional training; information-sharing and capacity building; development of national legislation; and regional coordination.
Website: https://dcoc.org/
Contact: dcoc@imo.org
Latest DCoC reports and statements can be found here
Red Sea Project for maritime security
The Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area, funded by the European Union, aims to develop capacities and promote adequate security and safety standards for maritime, port and land-based law-enforcement authorities, regional dialogue at the operational-level based on sound maritime domain awareness (MDA). IMO is working closely with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Project countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Port security project - South Atlantic and Indian Oceans
The project on Port Security and Safety of Navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean is Sponsored by the European Union, under the overall strategic direction of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and implemented jointly with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Project countries: Angola, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Communications received from Member States
Communications from Member States and Associate Members are available on IMODOCS.
Latest communications received and circulated:
Circular letter No.4887 - Communication from the Government of Ukraine (13 June 2024)
Circular letter No.4865 - Communication from the Government of Israel (17 April 2024)
Circular Letter No.4836 - Communication from the Government of the Republic of Yemen (31 January 2024)
Circular Letter No.4820 - Communication from the Government of the State of Israel (4 December 2023)
Impact on global trade
UNCTAD: Red Sea Crisis and implications for trade facilitation in Africa (17 April 2024)
UNCTAD: Navigating troubled waters: Impact to global trade of disruption of shipping routes in the Red Sea, Black Sea and Panama Canal (February 2024)
UNCTAD: Red Sea shipping crisis is having a 'dramatic' impact (27 January 2024)
UNCTAD: Red Sea, Black Sea and Panama Canal: UNCTAD raises alarm on global trade disruption (26 January 2024)
Related links
Change in Bunkering Activity – Red Sea Attacks on Commercial Shipping – IBIA (July 2024)
IBIA - Africa bunker activity report - (June 2024)
MSCHOA - Update on the piracy threat off the coast of Somalia (18 March)
- ICS et al: Shipping industry calls for release of Galaxy Leader crew still held captive (19 February 2024)
BIMCO, ICS, CLIA, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and OCIMF - Updated interim industry transit guidance for Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (5 February 2024)