Protecting seafarers and keeping shipping lanes safe were central to the International Maritime Organization Council’s latest intervention. Its 138th session took place in London from 2 to 6 November 2026.
Protection for people at sea
In its 6 November account of the meeting, IMO condemned attacks against merchant shipping in the Red Sea and Black Sea. It urged states to refrain from unlawful measures endangering crews and vessels.
The intervention stresses that seafarers need protection regardless of nationality. It does not confirm that safe passage through the affected areas has been restored.
In his closing address on 6 November, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez committed to maintaining engagement with relevant stakeholders and international organisations. He also said he would examine additional practical action to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the human consequences of the crisis, while continuing to monitor developments.
A separate decision on digital capabilities
In the same address, the Secretary-General confirmed approval of an initial £2 million from the Technical Cooperation Fund’s reserves. The funding supports enhancement of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System, GISIS, and work on an e-learning platform.
That is a specific organisational decision, distinct from diplomatic appeals for crew protection. Approval of funding should not be confused with confirmation that the digital projects are already complete or available in their final form.
Understanding the Council’s role
The Council is IMO’s executive organ, supervising its work under the Assembly. Its responsibilities include coordinating the organisation’s bodies and considering work programmes and budget proposals. Greece serves in the category reserved for states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
The wider legal context also matters. A United Nations analysis of the law of the sea explains that navigation is governed by different regimes, including innocent passage, transit passage through international straits and freedom of navigation. The relevant rules depend on the maritime zone concerned.
These distinctions help explain why an international organisation’s intervention and a vessel’s actual operational security are separate questions. The new announcement renews institutional pressure to protect crews and sustain monitoring; it should be read on that basis, rather than as an operational assurance for a particular voyage.