Over 90 seafarers captured by pirates in Gulf of Aden — IMO chief

LONDON, August 24. /TASS/. More than 90 seafarers have been captured by pirates since the beginning of the recent wave of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement.

"Shipping challenges are on the rise with the recent increase of piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden. With the most recent highjack, a sixth vessel is being held by pirates and armed robbers in waters that are becoming too dangerous for seafarers. More than 90 innocent seafarers are now being held captive, their lives subject to constant uncertainty and threat, often with limited access to adequate food, fresh water, medical support and other essential services," he said.

He called for an immediate and unconditional release of all those who are being held captive. "No seafarer should face violence, intimidation or exploitation simply for doing their jobs and keeping global trade moving," he stressed.

The statement followed the seizure of two commercial vessels off Yemen and Somalia in recent days.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia caused serious disruptions to maritime shipping from the late 2000s through the late 2010s, when armed groups attacked commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Thanks to international naval patrols, the number of attacks declined significantly in the early 2020s, but pirate activity has recently increased again.