A delegation from the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), led by its Director General, Yankuba Askia Bio, has participated in the 138th Session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held in London, United Kingdom, from 2nd to 6th November 2026. The five-day meeting brought together representatives of IMO Member States and other stakeholders in the global maritime industry to deliberate on critical issues affecting international shipping, maritime security, seafarers’ welfare and the protection of vital shipping routes.
A major issue that featured prominently during the deliberations was the safety, security, dignity and welfare of seafarers, particularly those working in conflict-affected maritime zones. Council members and delegates expressed concerns over the growing threats facing seafarers and commercial vessels operating in areas affected by geopolitical tensions, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Black Sea.
Contributing to the discussions, SLPHA Director General Yankuba Askia Bio emphasized that the protection of seafarers must remain a collective international responsibility, stressing that innocent maritime workers should never become casualties of geopolitical conflicts over which they have no control. He underscored the importance of respecting the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of seafarers and called for stronger international cooperation to guarantee their protection and the uninterrupted movement of global trade.
The Council reaffirmed the importance of keeping international shipping lanes open, safe and secure, while emphasizing that seafarers must be protected regardless of their nationality or the geopolitical circumstances surrounding their operations. It also called on Member States to refrain from actions that could further endanger seafarers and international shipping.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, who highlighted the human cost of ongoing conflicts, including the loss of lives, serious injuries, abandonment of seafarers and the denial of basic necessities such as food, water and medical care. He disclosed that the death of another seafarer following an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on 5th November brought the confirmed number of seafarer casualties linked to the conflict to 25, with at least 130 attacks on commercial vessels verified in the region.
Beyond maritime security, the Council also considered other institutional and strategic matters aimed at strengthening the IMO’s operations and the wider maritime sector.
SLPHA’s participation in the high-level international gathering reflects the Authority’s engagement with global maritime governance and its commitment to following international developments, standards and decisions that shape the safety, security and sustainability of the shipping industry.
The meeting concluded on Friday, 6th November, with a renewed call for collective international action to protect seafarers and ensure that commercial shipping remains safe amid growing global security challenges.
