UN maritime agency calls for urgent release of 44 seafarers held by pirates

LONDON, July 6– Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez on Monday called for urgent international action to secure the safe release of 44 seafarers being held captive by pirates and armed robbers in Somali waters.

Speaking at the 137th session of the IMO Council in London, Dominguez said the seafarers are being held aboard three vessels — MT Honour 25, Eureka and Sward — which were hijacked in separate incidents between April and May off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.

He warned that the crews face a severe humanitarian situation, with critically low supplies of food and drinking water while living under the constant threat of violence.