Unfair Treatment Of Seafarers Bothers IMO

Renowned global Maritime Organisation, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), has expressed worries over what it christened unfair treatment of Seafarers globally.
Secretary General of  IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, stated this recently, saying  “over rising cases of unfair treatment of seafarers were regrettable”.
Dominguez said there was a particularly worrying geopolitical context in which recent distressing events have taken place, adding that “the safety and wellbeing of seafarers must remain of utmost importance”.
He reiterated his call for the immediate release of the crew of Galaxy Leader, a car carrier seized by Houthis in November 2023. Noting the recent letter from the shipping industry to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Dominguez appealed for the release of container ship MSC Aries and its crew after the ship was seized by Iranian authorities earlier in April 2024, saying he was in constant search for solutions, continuing conversations with the UN and other stakeholders.
“The plight of the seafarers affected by these incidents must not be forgotten and it is incumbent upon us to pursue every available avenue to secure their safe return to their loved ones and their livelihoods.
“International shipping must not be targeted and used as a means of exerting pressure in geopolitical crises.
“I call on you here to continue your efforts to return to normalcy and for ships and seafarers to continue doing their work without threats and interruptions.

By: Chinedu Wosu