A delegation from the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), led by Director General Yankuba Askia Bio, attended the 138th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in London from 2nd to 6th November 2026.
The five-day meeting brought together representatives from IMO Member States and other stakeholders to discuss key issues affecting international shipping, including maritime security and seafarers’ welfare.
A significant point of discussion was the protection of seafarers, particularly those in conflict-affected maritime zones. Delegates raised concerns about the threats faced by seafarers and commercial vessels in areas with geopolitical tensions, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Black Sea.
Yankuba Askia Bio stressed the need for a collective international effort to protect seafarers, insisting that innocent maritime workers should not suffer due to conflicts beyond their control. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding their dignity and rights and urged stronger international cooperation to ensure their protection and facilitate global trade.
The Council reaffirmed the need to keep shipping lanes open and secure while asserting that all seafarers deserve protection, regardless of their nationality. Member States were urged to avoid actions that could further jeopardise seafarers and international shipping.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez underscored the human costs of ongoing conflicts, citing incidents such as the recent attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the death of a seafarer. This brought the total confirmed casualties linked to the conflict to 25, with at least 130 attacks on commercial vessels reported in that region.
Aside from maritime security concerns, the Council also examined wider institutional matters to enhance IMO operations and the maritime sector.
SLPHA’s participation in this high-level international forum demonstrates its commitment to engaging with global maritime governance and keeping abreast of developments that impact the safety, security, and sustainability of the shipping industry. The meeting concluded with renewed calls for international collaboration to protect seafarers amidst increasing global security challenges.
