Liberia has strongly condemned the unwarranted and brutal attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea by the Houthis Rebels of Yemen, calling for an immediate end to these threats to international shipping and seafarers.
Speaking at the 132nd session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Cllr Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., the Commissioner and CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority, drew the attention of the Council to the vicious attack on the Liberian-flagged vessel MV TUTOR on June 12, 2024.
Lighe informed the Council that the MV TUTOR was struck by an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) on the port side of the engine room, followed by an attack using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that hit the vessel’s starboard side. The strikes resulted in the engine room flooding, causing the vessel to lose power and drift away, eventually sinking. Sadly, one crew member remains missing.
The Commissioner expressed Liberia’s gratitude to the Navies of France and the United States for their timely rescue of the MV TUTOR’s crew during the attack. He reiterated Liberia’s call for an immediate end to these “horrific and senseless attacks” on harmless vessels that are facilitating international trade and commerce.
Lighe stressed that ships in innocent transit and seafarers, who pose no threat but are working to ensure essential goods reach nations across the world, should not become targets or victims of attacks. He called on all well-meaning nations to condemn these unwarranted attacks and work together to ensure the safety and security of all ships and seafarers.
Liberia, as a founding member of the IMO, has taken a firm stance against the continuous threats posed by the Houthis Rebels to international shipping, seafarers, and the marine environment.
