Upholding Freedom of Navigation
Freedom of navigation is a fundamental right for all merchant ships, and it must be upheld.
Attacks on shipping put lives, trade, and ships at risk — as seen in recent incidents in areas like the Red Sea.
Safe passage must be protected, ensuring that seafarers can do their jobs without fear and global trade can keep moving.
“We cannot allow attacks on commercial ships to become normalized or weaponized as political tools. The safety of those at sea, and the freedoms and rights of navigation, must be protected.”
— Joe Kramek, WSC President & CEO
Hostility in the Red Sea
Commercial shipping has been at risk of attack in the Red Sea since 2023. The Red Sea is a critical waterway and offers a commercial advantage to shipping.
On 19 November 2023, the Galaxy Leader vessel and its 25 crew were seized by Houthis in the Red Sea. Since then, there have been over 100 attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Galaxy Leader crew were finally released on 22 January 2025 after 14 months in captivity.
With the relentless attacks putting seafarers’ lives at risk, many carriers choose to re-route all or some of their planned sailings through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to instead go around Cape of Good Hope. Since November 2023 there has been a 90% decrease in Cargo Vessels transiting the Red Sea. Others take extensive security measures and risk the transit.
Ocean carriers will continue to make informed operational decisions to safeguard seafarers, cargo, and vessels while maintaining the movement of essential goods.