The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, expressing concern about an attack on the ship “Tahama” near the coast of Al-Mukha in Yemen, said that shipowners must fully assess the risks before transiting the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and other similar areas.

Arsenio Domingues, also expressing sorrow over the deaths of “innocent seafarers” as a result of the incident, said that seafarers deserve to be protected and to be able to carry out their duties in safe conditions.

He described the continued attacks on shipping in the region as the main factor behind the escalation of tensions and the threat to global supply chains.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization also called for the immediate, unconditional release of all seafarers who are being held in captivity following piracy attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Earlier, Yemen’s Ministry of Transport had said that the “Tahama” ship flying the Yemeni flag was targeted three times with ballistic missiles while passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.