- In recent decades, global shipping—carrier of 80 per cent of world trade—has faced numerous threats that challenge the long-established right to freedom of navigation for all merchant ships.
- Piracy, hijackings, armed robbery, regional conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic have put seafarers’ lives and well-being at risk.
Emerging Threat: Uncrewed Aerial Devices
A new danger to international shipping has emerged: uncrewed aerial devices aimed at ships going about their lawful business. Seafarers, trained for routine ship operation, become innocent victims as global supply chains are imperiled.
Attacks in the Red Sea
Since November 2023, the Red Sea area has witnessed numerous attempted and successful attacks by uncrewed aerial devices on international shipping. Examples include the tanker Marlin Luanda and the MV Galaxy Leader, exposing seafarers to grave dangers.
Impact on Trade and Supply Chains
In 2023, 15 per cent of international shipping traffic passed through the Suez Canal. However, trade volume going through the Canal has fallen by 42 per cent over the last two months due to the risk of attacks. Shipping lines have opted for longer routes, affecting global supply chains.
The Role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
As the United Nations specialized agency for safety at sea, pollution prevention, and maritime security, IMO emphasizes the paramount importance of protecting seafarers’ lives. The Secretary-General calls for de-escalation of tensions and the preservation of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Legal Framework for Protection
On 10 January 2024, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2722 (2024) condemning attacks by the Houthis on merchant and commercial vessels. The legal framework, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), governs the rights and obligations of states with respect to maritime zones.
Passage Regimes in the Red Sea
Different passage regimes apply to ships navigating the Red Sea, including innocent passage in territorial sea areas, transit passage in straits, and freedom of navigation in exclusive economic zones (EEZ). Safeguarding the exercise of these rights and freedoms is crucial.
Addressing Maritime Security Threats
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has successfully collaborated with Member States and the shipping industry to combat piracy and armed robbery. Conventions, such as the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA Convention), provide a basis for states to establish jurisdiction over acts of terrorism at sea.
Regional Cooperation and Information Sharing
The IMO supports regional cooperation agreements, such as the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) and the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC). These agreements enhance maritime domain awareness, information-sharing, and collaboration to protect seafarers and maintain global supply chains.
Urgent Need for Action
Protecting lawful navigation by international shipping in strategic sea lanes requires concerted action. The deployment of missiles and drones aimed at international shipping poses a new, alarming threat that demands collaborative efforts for peaceful resolution in the Red Sea.
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Source: UN
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