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.
Three seafarers lost their lives following an attack on the True Confidence (6 March 2024). Read the IMO Secretary-General's statement
here.
The Rubymar sank (2 March 2024) following an attack which represented an additional risk for the environment and maritime security. Recognizing the lack of specialized oil spill response equipment within the country to respond to a possible leak from the vessel, IMO invited 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.
The merchant vessel TUTOR was attacked (12 June 2024), leaving one seafarer unaccounted for. Read the IMO Secretary-General's statement
here.
The Greek-flagged crude oil tanker
MV SOUNION was attacked (21 August 2024), while carrying approximately 150,000 tonnes of crude oil (approximately one million barrels) on board, and was struck by projectiles while transiting the Southern Red Sea.
All 25 crew members were safely evacuated with no reported deaths or injuries.
Following a second attack the vessel caught fire. The vessel was eventually towed to safety. Read the IMO Secretary-General's statement
here.
Communications from Member States
- Circular Letter No.4916 - Communication from the Government of Greece (30 August 2024)
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.4916 - Communication from the Government of Greece (30 August 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)