In a statement at the 132nd session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held at the IMO Headquarters in London, Liberia has vociferously condemned the recent brutal attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea.
These violent acts, attributed to the Houthi rebels of Yemen, have sparked significant concerns regarding the safety and security of international maritime trade.
Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Commissioner and CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority, brought attention to a particularly egregious attack on the Liberian-flagged vessel MV TUTOR on June 12, 2024.
According to Lighe, the Houthis executed a cowardly assault using an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) that struck the port side of the MV TUTOR’s engine room.
This was followed by a second attack with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which hit the vessel’s starboard side. The dual strikes caused severe flooding in the engine room, resulting in the vessel losing power and drifting uncontrollably.
Tragically, the ship eventually sank, and one crew member remains missing.
Commissioner Lighe expressed profound gratitude to the navies of France and the United States for their timely rescue efforts, which saved 24 out of the 25 crew members aboard the MV TUTOR.
He emphasized Liberia’s appreciation for the invaluable assistance provided by these naval forces during the crisis.
In his address, Lighe reiterated Liberia’s urgent call for an end to these senseless and horrific attacks on harmless vessels engaged in international trade.
He voiced profound disgust over the ongoing threats posed by the Houthi rebels to international shipping, seafarers, and the marine environment.
“Ships in innocent transit and seafarers, who pose no threat but are diligently working to ensure the delivery of essential goods to nations worldwide, should not become targets or victims of such attacks,” Lighe asserted.
The Maritime Boss urged all nations to condemn these unwarranted assaults and to work collectively to ensure the safety and security of all ships and seafarers who sacrifice daily to sustain maritime trade.
“Maritime trade is the lifeline of nations and populations across the globe, and it must be protected at all costs,” he stressed.
He narrated that Liberian-flagged vessel MV TUTOR suffered a devastating attack in the Red Sea on June 12, 2024, by the Houthi rebels.
The vessel he stated was en route to Kandla, India, when it was struck on its port side by an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) targeting the engine room.
LMA Head pointed to subsequent aerial vehicle (UAV) hit the starboard side, leading to severe flooding of the engine room and resulting in the vessel losing power and drifting.
“On June 14, 2024, the U.S. Navy and the French Navy rescued 24 out of the 25 crew members from the drifting vessel”
“Mr. Chair, Liberia strongly condemns these illegal and unjustifiable attacks on ships and seafarers in the Red Sea. We call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities, which threaten international shipping, seafarers, and the marine environment. Ships in innocent transit and hardworking seafarers, who ensure the flow of essential goods to global communities, must not become targets”, he stated.
Liberia through Commissioner Neto Zarzar Lighe, urged all well-meaning nations to join in condemning baseless attacks and to collaborate in ensuring the safety and security of all ships and seafarers.
According to him, Maritime trade is the lifeline of nations and populations worldwide, adding that it would only be maintained depending on collective action to protect it.
Cllr. Lighe, addressing the IMO Council, emphasized that these attacks are not just illegal but fundamentally unjustifiable.
He stated, “Ships in innocent transit and seafarers, who pose no threat but are diligently working to ensure the delivery of essential goods to nations worldwide, should not become targets or victims of such attacks.”
Maritime Boss called for an immediate end to these hostilities and urged the international community to take collective action to protect maritime trade and seafarers.
The Commissioner underscored that maritime trade is vital for the survival and prosperity of nations around the world. “The continued threat to ships and seafarers undermines global trade and poses severe risks to the marine environment.
Therefore, Liberia’s call for action is not just about protecting its own interests but ensuring the safety and security of international shipping as a whole,” he stressed.
He concluded his address with a plea to all member states of the IMO to unite in condemning these attacks and to work together to safeguard maritime trade routes. “Maritime trade is the lifeline of nations and populations across the globe, and it must be protected at all costs,” he asserted.
The statement from Liberia at the IMO Council serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers and the critical importance of international cooperation in maintaining maritime security.
