INTERCARGO: Every seafarer deserves to return home

July 30 ------ NTERCARGO has called for urgent action to protect seafarers and civilian merchant shipping following a renewed increase in attacks targeting commercial vessels across several strategic maritime regions.

In a statement issued on 29 July 2026, INTERCARGO said it had observed a “noticeable shift towards the direct targeting of commercial shipping”, warning that seafarers, who are civilians carrying out essential work, should not be treated as military targets. The association urged governments, international institutions and parties involved in armed conflicts to take concrete measures to stop attacks on merchant vessels not involved in hostilities and to ensure the safety of crews operating global trade routes. "Every seafarer deserves to do that job safely and to return home," INTERCARGO stressed, adding that merchant ships continue to transport essential goods including food, fertilizer and other commodities relied upon by economies worldwide.

The appeal comes amid a series of attacks and security incidents affecting merchant vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Strait of Hormuz, and the Black Sea, where geopolitical tensions have increasingly spilled over into commercial shipping routes.

Black Sea and Sea of Azov attacks raise further concerns

Commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea have increasingly become exposed to conflict-related risks. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine said on 29 July that it was closely monitoring the situation involving the merchant vessel MV Amir1, which has 13 Indian seafarers among its 15-member crew, after reports that the ship was exposed to repeated drone and missile attacks near Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) described the crew’s situation at the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk as “terrible and life-threatening”, citing ongoing missile and drone activity in the area.

Generally, seafarers working in these waters have been facing great exposure to danger. For instance, just on 19 July, a Russian missile struck a ship carrying corn near Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa, killing 10 people. In addition, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel sunk off Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa, a week after Ukrainian officials said it was struck by Russian forces on 19 July.

IMO issued a condemnation in July following a series of attacks against civilian merchant ships in the Black Sea, stating that seafarers should not become casualties of conflicts in which they are not parties. Furthermore, both Greece and India have advised extreme caution for crews transiting these waters.

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden threats continue

The Red Sea also remains one of the most significant areas of concern for merchant shipping following repeated attacks linked to the conflict in the region. The Houthis announced a maritime embargo targeting Saudi Arabia-linked shipping on 20 July, warning that vessels associated with Saudi ports, companies or interests could be subject to attack. The move has raised concerns over heightened security risks for commercial shipping in the Red Sea, particularly for tankers and other vessels connected to Saudi trade flows.

Several incidents have since highlighted the potential impact of the threat. The group claimed on 28 July that it had targeted the Saudi-linked oil tanker NCC Ghazal with ballistic missiles, forcing the vessel to abandon its voyage and turn back. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the attack was carried out because the tanker had allegedly breached the group’s declared ban on Saudi-affiliated shipping.

Encelia was struck by an unidentified projectile approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, on July 22. Another tanker, Layla, was also reportedly targeted by the Houthis, although the incident remains unconfirmed.

Strait of Hormuz attacks highlight risks to crews

Commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has faced a sustained wave of attacks, with maritime security data recording 62 confirmed incidents as of 27 July 2026. The attacks have resulted in 17 confirmed seafarer fatalities, while dozens of vessels have sustained damage, with several ships abandoned following strikes.

The most recent confirmed incident occurred on 24 July, when the LPG tanker Lavine, operating under a Mozambique false flag, was damaged in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, on 20 July, the vessel Kaifan was damaged approximately 8 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman. The vessel was abandoned following the attack, with two seafarers injured.

The attacks continued throughout mid-July. One of the most serious incidents occurred on 14 July, when two UAE-linked vessels were attacked approximately 13 nautical miles off the coast of Oman. The crude oil tanker Al Bahyah sustained damage, resulting in one seafarer fatality and three injuries. The very large crude carrier Mombasa B was also damaged in the same area, abandoned by its crew and reported to have 11 injured seafarers.

Shipping industry calls for renewed protection of civilian vessels

INTERCARGO said the growing number of incidents demonstrates the need for stronger international efforts to safeguard merchant shipping and the people operating it. "The seas must remain a space for trade and cooperation, not conflict. INTERCARGO stands with the wider shipping community in urging restraint, respect for international law, and renewed protection for those who keep world trade moving," the association concluded.

Source: safety4sea.com