Shipping industry groups are demanding action after the Houthis sink another vessel.

Leading shipping industry groups have issued a strong call for action to stop Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea after the sinking of a second ship. In a joint statement on Wednesday, these organizations, including the World Shipping Council, European Community Shipowners' Associations, and Asian Shipowners' Association, denounced the incidents as grave violations of freedom of navigation and direct threats to "innocent seafarers."

The statement emphasized the urgency of the situation, demanding an immediate cessation of these attacks. They urged states with influence in the region to intervene decisively to safeguard maritime operations and to facilitate a rapid de-escalation of tensions in the Red Sea area.

The Houthi armed group from Yemen has been actively targeting shipping lanes in the region since November, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians and to pressure Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza. In response, the United States and its allies have conducted military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen starting from January.

The shipping groups highlighted the tragic consequences of these attacks, noting that a missing crew member from the recently targeted Greek ship, Tutor, is presumed to have been killed in the June 12 attack. They condemned these assaults on innocent seafarers who are crucial in ensuring global supply chains for essential goods.

Since November, the Houthis have carried out numerous military operations using drones, missiles, and explosive-laden boats against ships they perceive as linked to Israel, the US, and some of their allies. While most incidents did not result in fatalities, an attack on a Barbados-flagged vessel in March claimed the lives of three sailors. Another recent attack on a Ukrainian-owned ship resulted in severe injuries to a crew member and set the vessel ablaze.

The statement also called for the release of crew members from the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship seized by the Houthis in November. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers operating in volatile waters affected by regional conflicts.