International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has offered condolences to the family the seafarer who passed away a week after the Minervagracht was attacked by the Houthi in the Gulf of Aden.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a crew member of the MV Minervagracht, as a result of injuries sustained during an attack on the vessel in the Gulf of Aden on 29 September 2025,” the Secretary-General said.

“My thoughts, along with those of the Secretariat and of the entire membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), are with the family of the crew member.”

The Houthi have claimed responsibility for the attack on the Spielthoff-owned, Dutch-flagged vessel which was hit by a missile while transiting the Gulf of Aden. The 19 crew on board the ship were evacuated by naval forces from EU Navfor ASPIDES. Another injured seafarer remains under medical care in Djibouti and is reported to be stable and expected to be repatriated next week.

Dominguez repeated his condemnation of attacks on commercial shipping. “I strongly condemn any type of attack against international shipping, regardless of its motivation or cause. 

“These deplorable attacks in the Red Sea violate international law and freedom of navigation. Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause.”

He also repeated that constructive dialogue is solution to resolving ongoing geopolitical crises affecting seafarers and international shipping. In July following the attacks on the Magic Seas and the Eternity C Dominguez said there were several member states that he was engaging with to help bridge conversations directly with the Houthi.

By : Marcus Hand