UN Warns: Safe Seas Vital for Trade, Stability

A container ship arrives in New York harbour in the United States.

Shipping is crucial to the global economy, with more than 100,000 vessels a day transporting roughly 80 per cent of world commerce, but it remains vulnerable to disruptions from geopolitical tensions and transnational crime.

Keeping sea routes safe today while also addressing emerging challenges was the focus of a debate in the UN Security Council on Monday, convened by Panama, which holds the presidency for August.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), told the Council that last year, a workforce of just 1.9 million seafarers moved over 12.3 billion tonnes of goods, essentially “keeping global trade afloat.”

He said the maritime sector has proved “remarkably resilient” in the face of geopolitical challenges.

“Yet resilience cannot breed complacency,” he warned.

“The safety and security of the maritime sector is fundamental to economic stability, sustainable maritime development and livelihoods.”

The threats are numerous. Nearly 150 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported in 2024 alone. In some regions, such as Southeast Asia, incidents are surging, according to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

Beyond piracy, international vessels in the Red Sea have also come under attack against the backdrop of the war in Gaza. Meanwhile, trafficking continues — including drugs, endangered wildlife and protected timber — and organized crime groups exploit maritime supply chains to move weapons, operatives and illicit goods to finance their operations.

Maritime routes were “the world’s first truly global network,” connecting distant shores for thousands of years, said Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General.

“Today, and more than ever, that same network is exploited by criminals who threaten navigation, trade, communication — and with them, the global stability essential to sustainable development,” he told the Council.

He said “poly-criminality at sea” is “making criminals more resilient and enforcement more complex” as new and less visible dangers arise.

“As ports go digital — with automated vessel management, cargo tracking and logistics — vulnerabilities are emerging faster than they can be secured. Ports are facing a wave of cyber intrusions targeting the power, communication and logistics systems they rely on.”

Furthermore, “cybercriminals can weaponise artificial intelligence to attack with greater speed, scale and precision.”

In response to the situation, IMO has developed binding mandatory requirements to address international ship and port security, as well as cybersecurity threats.

The UN agency has also supported projects to boost regional capacity, including information sharing. In addition, it has established partnerships with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, regional entities and donor states to strengthen national capabilities and build trust.

“While addressing maritime security, we must not lose sight of our responsibility to protect the ocean,” said Mr. Dominguez.

“Maritime safety and security and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Support for countries to develop and enhance response capabilities for maritime pollution incidents, including from oil spills, is ongoing.”

The Council also heard from the agency responsible for the operation of the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.

Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, highlighted the strength of “principles-based neutrality.”

“The Panama Canal is governed by an international treaty which safeguards equal access to all nations in times of peace or war,” he said, speaking in Spanish.

“This promise, which is incorporated in our Constitution, has enabled a small country to contribute stability to global trade, shielding this infrastructure from geopolitical tensions that too often stymie progress.”

His remarks also showcased how the Canal has been under Panamanian administration for the last 25 years — a period that saw the completion of a third set of locks in 2016. As a result, cargo volume transiting its waters increased by 50 per cent, while maintaining the same annual transit of roughly 13,500 ships.

Like the IMO chief, Mr. Vásquez Morales emphasised the need to address climate change. The Panama Canal experienced a drought over the past two years, a “global wake-up call” that sparked water conservation efforts, logistical adjustments and the building of an artificial lake.

“Today, the canal boasts technologies that strengthen climate resilience,” he said. “It creates financial mechanisms and ensures water and environmental security, while also implementing efficient governance to harness the rapid progress in artificial intelligence and collaborating to strengthen cybersecurity in our ports and logistics systems.”

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Vásquez Morales said the Panama Canal is “living proof that global public goods can be administered with equity, responsibility and vision.”

“Through sustained cooperation, constant adaptation and steadfast commitment to the principles of international law, the Canal will remain a safe and efficient route ready to serve not only this generation, but many more to come,” he said.

“We trust that by working together, we will be able to keep open not only waterways, but also the channels of understanding, peace and solidarity.”