SLPHA Boss Pushes for Seafarers' Safety
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA), Yankuba Askia Bio, has called for stronger international cooperation to safeguard seafarers working in maritime areas affected by armed conflicts and security threats.
Bio made the appeal during the 138th Session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held in London, United Kingdom, from November 2 to 6, 2026, where maritime security concerns and attacks on commercial shipping routes featured prominently in discussions.
He highlighted the threats facing seafarers along major international shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Black Sea, stressing that crew members should not be made to bear the consequences of geopolitical disputes.
“Innocent seafarers must never become victims of geopolitical conflicts beyond their control,” Bio said.
The scale of the threat was further highlighted during the meeting, when the IMO Secretary-General disclosed that 25 seafarer casualties had been confirmed and at least 130 attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region had been verified.
These figures underscore the growing risks facing maritime workers and commercial shipping operations in areas affected by escalating tensions.
Bio’s intervention at the Council meeting reflects Sierra Leone’s engagement in international maritime discussions, particularly efforts to strengthen maritime safety and security, protect seafarers and safeguard global shipping routes.
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