IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged nations and international bodies to embrace greater vigilance and deepen cooperation in response to mounting threats to global maritime security.
Addressing the UN Security Council on 11 August, Dominguez described the risks confronting ships and the 1.9 million seafarers who keep vital trade flowing worldwide.
“Our collective response must be rooted in prevention, constant vigilance, innovation, and continuously strengthened regional and international cooperation. Multilateralism is key here. Maritime security is a shared responsibility,” he noted.
Dominguez emphasised the importance of adhering to established international standards that underpin safety, security, and environmental protection in shipping.
In 2024, nearly 150 piracy and armed robbery incidents were reported to the IMO, with the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, the Indian Ocean, and West Africa being especially affected. Vessels in the Red Sea have also suffered unlawful attacks, defying international law and freedom of navigation.
Besides these dangers, maritime infrastructure now confronts challenges from cyber-attacks, drug trafficking, and other fraudulent activities. As new technologies emerge, Dominguez stressed the need for strong cybersecurity governance.
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“When geopolitical tensions disrupt shipping and innocent seafarers lose their lives, as we have seen recently in the Red Sea Area and during 2024, the only way forward is constructive dialogue. Maritime security is not just technical – it is deeply human,” he remarked, underscoring the human cost of insecurity at sea.
To combat such risks, the IMO has enacted mandatory measures including the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), updated protocols for suppressing unlawful acts at sea (SUA treaties), and cybersecurity requirements within Safety Management Systems. Regional agreements such as ReCAAP in Asia and the Djibouti and Yaoundé Codes of Conduct in Africa further strengthen information sharing and cooperation.
Partnerships with key organisations – INTERPOL, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and donor Member States – reinforce these efforts through initiatives such as the EU-funded Red Sea Programme and the Port Security Project.
The Security Council debate promoted innovative and inclusive approaches, urging robust multilateral cooperation to safeguard shipping.
“The safety and security of the maritime sector is fundamental to economic stability, sustainable maritime development and to livelihoods,” Dominguez concluded.
