UN’s maritime chief heads to Egypt after 70% fall in Suez Canal freight traffic

Polluting emissions have risen as vessels sail around Africa to avoid Houthi fire from Yemen

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation, is sharpening focus on Egypt and the fortunes of the Suez Canal. AFP

The UN official in charge of the International Maritime Organisation is planning to strengthen the agency in Egypt in response to the Red Sea crisis and 70 per cent fall in freight traffic through the Suez Canal.

Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary general of the IMO, told reporters in London that the disruption of global trade caused by Yemeni Houthi rebel attacks on Israel and its allies was a primary concern for his organisation.

In particular, the impact on Egypt was something he was determined to address alongside the fate of the 25 crew on the hostage ship Galaxy Leader, which has been held by the Houthis since late 2023. He pointed out the enormous climate change damage by traffic diverting to sail around Africa.

“Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope increases emissions by 70 per cent, the cost of goods and trade is expected to go up 0.6 per cent this year, that's even though shipping is necessary and trade is expected to increase two per cent.

“The Suez Canal continues to suffer particularly with transit down around 70 per cent.”

The visit scheduled for next week follows diplomacy across the region last year, including talks with Iran and other regional powers, for conversations with those with influence over the situation in Yemen.

“I'm opening a regional co-ordination office for tanker co-operation activities,” Mr Dominguez said. “Meeting with the authorities to follow up the conversations I have had [already] and follow up with the actions that they are taking as part of the negotiations.

“I'll secure any additional advice that they can give me. With the Suez Canal, it is important for me to go there to see and listen to the consensus approach on 2025.”

The plight of the Galaxy Leader presents a problem for the UN body. “As we start again, I'm going back to Iran and all the countries I have conversations with to see what actions they're taking.”

Although there have been no attacks on merchant shipping since November that does not mean the threats are resolved in the area.

Houthi rebels disrupt ships in the Red Sea – in pictures

“I am campaigning very hard about one ship and a number of seafarers. There are 35 seafarers involved with the Galaxy Leader and a larger negative effect of what’s happening to it. My perspective is that we should not forget the dangers and assume that when everything comes back to normality the Galaxy Leader will be released. We would like that to happen beforehand.”

The Panamanian diplomat, who has led the IMO since last year, said he was in discussions with the special representative of the UN secretary general on Yemen to overcome some of the obstacles to his diplomacy.

The IMO cannot have a direct relationship with the Houthis who control the capital, Sanaa, and the port of Hodeidah because they are in conflict with the internationally recognised government of Yemen based in Aden.