IMEC

The shipping community is appalled and deeply saddened with the tragic news that, yet another seafarer seems certain to have been killed in a drone boat strike on Wednesday 12 June while on board the MV Tutor in the Red Sea. We utterly condemn these assaults which directly contravene the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.



Our thoughts and condolences go to the family and loved ones of the seafarer who tragically lost their life. It is deplorable that innocent seafarers are being attacked while simply performing their jobs, vital jobs which keep the world warm, fed, and clothed.



This is the second fatal attack in which our seafarers have been caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical conflicts. Three seafarers tragically lost their lives when the True Confidence was attacked earlier this year. And we must not forget the crew members from the Galaxy Leader and MSC Aries who are still being held captive.



Furthermore, we strongly condemn the attack on the cargo ship Verbena on Thursday 13 June which left a seafarer severely injured by anti-ship cruise missiles.



This is an unacceptable situation, and these attacks must stop now. We call for States with influence in the region to safeguard our innocent seafarers and for the swift de-escalation of the situation in the Red Sea. We have heard the condemnation and appreciate the words of support, but we urgently seek action to stop the unlawful attacks on these vital workers and this vital industry.



We hope that on this year’s Day of The Seafarer on Tuesday 25 June the world takes a moment to recognise the immense contribution that seafarers make to the global economy and the unjust circumstances they are facing in the Red Sea and across the world.



Please kindly see below the full list of co-signatories to this statement <a href="https://bpimecatlas1.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Co-Signatures-mv-tutor-and-cargo-ship-verbena-01-2.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

Shipping industry calls for action following the attack on the MV Tutor and cargo ship Verbena

The International Bargaining Forum’s (IBF) Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) has unanimously agreed to designate the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden ‘Warlike’ to emphasise the seriousness of the situation.



This decision taken at a meeting on 12 March 2024 follows the Houthi attack on M/V True Confidence which resulted in the death of three seafarers.



Our first priority is the safety of seafarers.



Ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are Houthi missile targets, putting seafarers’ lives in grave danger. We strongly urge charterers, operators and shipowners to avoid passage through the area until there is no risk to the safety of seafarers from further attacks.



In the meantime, this body is calling for the diversion of vessels, avoiding the sailing through the Newly Established Warlike Area.



The IBF will be asking all employers and union affiliates to lobby their respective governments to intervene and act in the safety of seafarers.



The IBF Warlike Operations Area had been 12 nautical miles off the mainland Yemeni Coast. Today’s decision expands the Warlike area to cover the previous declared High Risk Area, which included the Southern Section of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, stretching across to the Eritrea coast. The Area encompasses the Bab El Mandeb Strait including the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC) in its entirety within the Gulf of Aden.



Notes:



The IBF was set up as a process in which maritime employers, represented by the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), and seafarers unions, represented by the International Transport-Workers’ Federation (ITF) could negotiate over the wages and conditions of employment of seafarers serving on ships to which ITF Special Agreements apply.



The last meeting of the IBF WOAC on 7 February agreed to expand the <a href="https://imec.org.uk/the-international-bargaining-forum-ibf/ibf-risk-areas" data-type="link" data-id="https://imec.org.uk/the-international-bargaining-forum-ibf/ibf-risk-areas">High Risk Area</a> to include the Gulf of Aden.



About the JNG: 



The Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) allows for the coordination of the views of employers from across the world in the maritime industry. The JNG today consists of the International Maritime Employers&#8217; Council (IMEC), the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), the Korean Shipowners Association (KSA) and Taiwan-based company Evergreen.



About IBF



The International Bargaining Forum (IBF) is the forum that brings together the International Transport Workers&#8217; Federation (ITF) and the international maritime employers that make up the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG). IBF negotiations include both central negotiations and local negotiations which allow for development of core principles which can then be incorporated into specific local arrangements. This unique approach to pay negotiations is the only example of international collective bargaining. Find out more <a href="https://www.imec.org.uk/the-international-bargaining-forum-ibf" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.imec.org.uk/the-international-bargaining-forum-ibf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>

Tag: seafarers

Shipping industry calls for action following the attack on the MV Tutor and cargo ship Verbena

IBF Warlike Operations – Seafarers’ Lives Matter

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