- The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the International Apparel Federation (IAF), and various global trade associations advocate for increased government cooperation to ensure open and safe shipping lanes.
- An open letter, endorsed by over 100 signatories from critical industries like agriculture, retail, energy, clothing, and footwear, urges governments to join, support, or align with the mission of safeguarding maritime commerce, particularly in the Red Sea.
- The International Apparel Federation (IAF), representing apparel manufacturers, small and medium-sized enterprise brands, and related industries, released the letter in collaboration with AAFA.
- AAFA President and CEO, Steve Lamar, stresses the necessity for governments to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers, emphasizing the livelihoods of millions dependent on safe navigation.
- IAF Secretary General, Matthijs Crietee, highlights the significant economic impact of attacks, redirecting over $80 billion in cargo around the Cape of Good Hope, particularly challenging during Southern Hemisphere winters.
Global Trade Coalitions Unite To Safeguard Shipping Lanes
The AAFA, and IAF, alongside numerous global trade associations, advocate for broader government collaboration to ensure the safety and openness of shipping lanes.
The more than 100 signatories in their open letter representing a range of critical industries, including agricultural products, retail, energy, clothing, and footwear, urged governments to join, support, or align with the mission to support safe and secure maritime commerce in the Red Sea and across the globe.
The letter was released by the IAF and AAFA recently.
Urgent Call For Zero-Tolerance
IAF is the global federation for apparel manufacturers, brands owned by small and medium enterprises, their associations, and the supporting industry.
“It is imperative that governments unite behind a zero-tolerance approach to deter attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Red Sea, and anywhere in the world. The prosperity of millions of people who are employed in our industries and the global maritime industry depends on safe and secure freedom of navigation,” AAFA president and chief executive officer Steve Lamar said in a release.
“These attacks have already caused upwards of $80 billion in cargo to be diverted around the Cape of Good Hope….This alternative route becomes even more challenging during the Southern Hemisphere winter months … cooperation among nations is essential to signal the importance of free passage in international waters,” said IAF Secretary General Matthijs Crietee.
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Source: fibre2fashion
