The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has urged member states to work together to ensure unhindered and safe global navigation of vessels as well as the protection and well-being of seafarers in the Red Sea area.

The international organisation said this is a prerequisite for maintaining the world’s supply chains and is in line with the framework of the Djibouti Code of Conduct.

The outgoing IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, who gave the charge in a statement, condemned the attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area.

He reiterated the strong commitment of IMO to protect seafarers, ships, and cargoes, which he said is of the utmost importance to ensure the safety and security of global supply chains.

According to him, attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area are not acceptable, adding that ships must be allowed to trade worldwide unhindered, by international maritime law.

Already, shipping companies have rerouted 121 African-bound vessels and diverted approximately $80 billion worth of cargo away from the Red Sea.

Lim noted that the rerouting of commercial shipping by several globally operating companies is a direct response to the current threat, adding that these measures are aimed at protecting seafarers from harm and minimising the potential economic impact on world trade, which is highly dependent on shipping.

According to him, the IMO secretariat is closely monitoring developments and communicating with relevant stakeholders, including the shipping industry, IMO Member States, and United Nations partners.