International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called on shipowners and operators to thoroughly reassess transit risks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden following a Houthi attack on the cargo vessel Tihamah off Al Mokha, Yemen, on Tuesday.

The ship was struck by a projectile, resulting in multiple seafarer fatalities. According to media reports, four seafarers were killed in the attack.

"Once again, innocent seafarers have lost their lives in an indefensible attack on international shipping," Dominguez said in a press statement.

"I reiterate my call for shipowners and ship operators to thoroughly assess risks before transiting this and other regions and follow appropriate best management practices," he added.

Dominguez emphasized that seafarers "deserve to be protected and allowed to do their jobs in safety and security."

"These continued attacks on shipping only serve to escalate tensions and threaten global supply chains on which everyone depends," he said.

The IMO Secretary-General also called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of seafarers who remain held captive following piracy incidents in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region.

"Ensuring seafarer safety is a fundamental obligation under international law and a shared responsibility of the global community," Dominguez stated.

The attack on the Tihamah is the latest in a series of incidents targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, a critical corridor for global maritime trade. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world's busiest shipping chokepoints, with thousands of vessels transiting annually. Since November 2023, Houthi forces have launched dozens of attacks on commercial shipping in the region, prompting major carriers to divert significant volumes of cargo around the Cape of Good Hope. Dominguez's reference to best management practices aligns with the industry-standard BMP5 guidelines, which outline recommended security measures for vessels operating in high-risk waters, including reporting protocols, physical protection measures, and transit planning. The IMO's renewed call underscores the ongoing challenge for shipowners weighing the cost and schedule impacts of longer alternate routes against the safety risks of maintaining transits through the region.