The Maritime Safety Innovation Lab condemns attacks on commercial vessels

The Maritime Safety Innovation Lab joins InterManager and the International Maritime Organization in condemning the latest attacks on merchant vessels which have caused injuries and fatalities amongst their crews. The attacks on MV Verbena and MV Tutor have resulted in the death of a seafarer, the serious injury of another and the abandonment of both vessels. The attacks were conducted by anti-ship missiles and waterborne improvised explosive devices (WBIED) while the vessels conducted innocent passage as provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Commercial ships and innocent seafarers must be allowed safe passage as they go about their regular business of carrying trade across the globe. We call on for international Governments to do all they can to ensure the safety of merchant ships and civilian seafarers.