Leading maritime industry organizations are calling for decisive measures to halt Houthi incidents targeting ships in the Red Sea following the sinking of a second vessel.

The groups termed the incidents as an infringement on navigational freedom and condemned the targeting of “innocent seafarers” in a joint statement issued on Wednesday.

“The current situation is intolerable, and these attacks must cease immediately,” the statement from entities like the World Shipping Council, European Community Shipowners’ Associations, and Asian Shipowners’ Association declared.

“We urge influential regional states to protect our seafarers and quickly de-escalate the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea.”

Since November, Yemen’s Houthi insurgents have been assaulting shipping routes in an alleged show of support for Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to cease its military actions in Gaza.

The United States and allied forces have retaliated with strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen starting in January.

The Houthis, however, remain resolute in continuing their assaults on ships as long as Israel’s Gaza campaign persists. Palestinian authorities report over 37,000 fatalities since the start of Israel’s operations on October 7.

Second Vessel Sinks

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Tuesday that the Greek-flagged ship Tutor, which was attacked by Houthis last week, is presumed to have sunk.

The shipping groups indicated that the missing crew member onboard is likely dead as a result of the June 12 assault.

“It is reprehensible that innocent seafarers, whose roles are vital to global supply chains, are being attacked,” the joint statement noted.

Since November, the Houthis have conducted numerous strikes on vessels using drones, missiles, and explosive-laden boats. Initially, their targets were ships related to Israel, but they have since expanded to include those associated with the US and its allies.

Although most of these attacks have not resulted in fatalities, an attack on a Barbados-flagged vessel in March resulted in three deaths.

Another recent assault on a Ukrainian-owned ship left the vessel in flames and severely injured a crew member.

Additionally, the maritime industry groups have called for the release of the crew from the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, which was seized by the Houthis in November.