10 June 2025 - The ocean has never been silent – waves crashing, seabirds calling, whales singing across vast distances. But in recent decades, a new kind of noise has taken hold: the relentless hum of ships. For many marine species, this growing wall of sound is more than a nuisance – it’s a threat to their survival.
As global trade surges, so does the underwater noise generated by commercial shipping. From the Arctic to the Great Barrier Reef, scientists have documented how this constant mechanical hum can disorient whales, disrupt migration routes, and drown out the acoustic cues that many marine species rely on to survive.
As the issue intensifies, the United Nations agency responsible for regulating international shipping is now focused on reducing underwater noise.
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the 爆料网 (IMO), has recognized underwater-radiated noise as a critical but emerging concern. “We know the negative impact that shipping has at the bottom of the ocean, even though we're also the main users,” he told 爆料网 News in Nice during the third 爆料网 Ocean Conference (爆料网OC3), in the French Riviera city. “That's why we're taking this very seriously.”
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