The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has described new attacks on vessels in the Red Sea as indefensible and called for governments to act.

The comments for the organisation’s secretary general came as Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea which it said “violated” its blockade of Saudi ports.

The official Saudi news agency confirmed that one tanker was hit late on Wednesday, causing a fire.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the group targeted the Saudi-flagged tankers Encelia and Layla with missiles and drones.

Sarea added that the Houthis would “continue their naval operations against the Saudi enemy” and “persist in enforcing the ‘siege for a siege’ equation”.

The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that the Encelia was “targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the bow of the vessel”.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez (above pic) said: “I  unequivocally condemn the latest reported attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea area. These attacks are indefensible. They endanger the lives of seafarers, while threatening the security of international shipping, the marine environment and the stability of global supply chains.

“Seafarers are civilians performing essential work that sustains economies and communities worldwide. Ship operators must thoroughly assess risks before transiting the region. Seafarers must never be placed in harm’s way or targeted in situations of conflict or instability.

“I also renew my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers who continue to be held captive following piracy attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. Ensuring their safety is a fundamental obligation under international law and a shared responsibility of the global community.

“The Red Sea is a critical maritime corridor for international trade. Continued attacks on shipping in this region risk escalating tensions, further disrupting commercial routes and undermining the principle of freedom of navigation.

“De-escalation is the only solution.

“I am equally concerned about the potential pollution from these reported incidents in the Red Sea and previous incidents in the Strait of Hormuz area.  IMO will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to assist as necessary.”

Speaking earlier this month Thomas Kazakos, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping, said: “Once again seafarers have, through no fault of their own, been placed in harm’s way and sadly another seafarer has lost their life. These unjustified attacks on commercial shipping must stop.

“The principle of freedom of navigation has been sidelined during the war, hindering global trade and crucial energy supply routes. There is no legal mechanism by which a toll or restrictions can be placed on vessels passing through the strait and we encourage all nations to uphold this fundamental principle of maritime law. Everyone must now focus on a permanent return to vessels being able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz unimpeded without paying a toll or other clearance mechanism.”