The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of more than 90 seafarers held captive after a fresh wave of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the agency’s Secretary‑General Arsenio Dominguez said on Monday.
In a statement issued on 24 August 2025, Mr. Dominguez said the recent hijacking of the vessel SEAMULL on 20 August 2025 marks a troubling resurgence of attacks in waters that have become “too dangerous for seafarers.”
He said the latest incident brings the number of vessels held by pirates and armed robbers in the area to six.
“More than 90 innocent seafarers are now being held captive, their lives subject to constant uncertainty and threat, often with limited access to adequate food, fresh water, medical support and other essential services,” the IMO chief said, adding that each captive has families enduring an “unimaginable ordeal” with little reliable information about their loved ones’ well‑being.
Dominguez urged flag and coastal states to ensure ships flying their flags are properly prepared to manage security risks and that crews are not exposed to avoidable danger. He called for implementation of industry best management practices and relevant IMO guidance, including MSC.1/Circ.1601/Rev.2.
The IMO Chief pledged continued support for regional efforts led by coastal states, citing the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment, and stressed that sustained international naval cooperation remains essential to protecting merchant shipping and seafarers.
“The international community has successfully confronted this threat before, and it must do so again,” Dominguez said, adding that he will raise the matter across the UN system and engage with governments and stakeholders to identify how the IMO can best support collaborative efforts to enhance maritime security.
Background: Piracy off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden declined after international naval patrols and regional agreements reduced attacks in the 2010s, but sporadic incidents and a recent uptick have raised concerns about seafarer safety and the security of critical shipping lanes.
