By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yankuba Askia Bio, has called for stronger international cooperation to protect seafarers operating in conflict-affected maritime zones, warning that innocent maritime workers must not be made victims of geopolitical tensions.
Bio made the call during the 138th Session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held in London, United Kingdom, from November 2 to 6, 2026, where maritime leaders discussed growing security threats facing international shipping routes.
Addressing concerns over attacks on commercial vessels along strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Black Sea, the SLPHA Director General stressed the importance of a coordinated global response to safeguard seafarers and ensure the continued safety of international shipping operations.
He maintained that seafarers, whose services remain essential to global trade and transportation, should not be exposed to attacks or placed in life-threatening situations because of conflicts beyond their control.
“Innocent seafarers must never become victims of geopolitical conflicts beyond their control,” Bio stated.
His intervention comes amid growing concerns over the safety of maritime workers following a series of attacks on commercial vessels in some of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
During the Council session, the IMO Secretary-General disclosed that 25 seafarer casualties had been confirmed, alongside at least 130 verified attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region.
The figures highlighted the human cost of insecurity in international waters and reinforced calls for stronger cooperation among maritime nations and relevant international institutions to protect seafarers, vessels and critical shipping routes.
The discussions also underscored the need for international stakeholders to prioritise maritime security and ensure that commercial shipping operations are not disrupted by escalating geopolitical tensions.
SLPHA’s participation in the high-level IMO meeting reflects Sierra Leone’s continued engagement in international maritime governance and its commitment to supporting global efforts aimed at improving maritime safety, security and the welfare of seafarers.
Bio’s contribution further places Sierra Leone among countries advocating for greater international attention to the protection of maritime workers, particularly those operating in regions affected by armed conflicts and security threats.
As international shipping continues to face emerging challenges, his call reinforces the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring that seafarers can carry out their duties safely without becoming unintended casualties of geopolitical disputes.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 11th November 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
