The Hindu Business Line : Indian vessels plying international waters fear pirate attacks

In a release, international shipping associations said a crisis point has now been reached, with nearly 40 hijackings taking place in the Gulf of Aden so far this year.

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Sept. 20 In the backdrop of the recent increase in pirate attacks on ships, Indian National Shipowners Association (INSA) has decided to approach the Government seeking appropriate action to ensure safety of Indian flag vessels.

“We have already received a letter from GE Shipping to take up the issue seeking immediate action,” Mr S.S. Kulkarni, Secretary, INSA, said.

There are about 200 Indian ships plying in international waters at any given time, and with hijackings happening at the mouth of the Suez Canal, it important to ensure safety of crew members, Mr Kulkarni said, adding that the insurance firms are sceptical now to provide war-risk insurance.

Appeal to UN

Internationally, shipping associations have approached the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations requesting real and immediate action against brazen acts of piracy, kidnapping and armed robbery, carried out with increasing frequency against ships in the Gulf of Aden, by pirates based in Somalia.

The Round Table of international shipping associations — BIMCO, Intercargo, International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation and INTERTANKO — have requested the IMO Secretary-General, Mr Efthimios Mitropoulos, to use his organisation’s influence to ensure UN backing for increased naval force in order to protect the lives of seafarers and passengers as well as ships and cargoes.

In a release, the international shipping associations said that a crisis point has now been reached, with nearly 40 hijackings taking place in the Gulf of Aden so far this year, with 133 kidnapped seafarers still being held hostage and with pirate attacks on ships happening sometimes up to three times within hours.

Right to life

The International Maritime Bureau, the lead recording body for piracy, estimates that over 1,200 Somalis and at least six major groups are involved. At this moment, ten ships are being held and the industry fears for the seafarers on board. Seafarers are civilians and are entitled to protection as they go about their lawful profession. The current situation is threatening their right to life.

A UN Security Council Resolution 1816 permits States co-operating with Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, for a period of six months, to enter the country’s territorial waters and use “all necessary means” to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in a manner consistent with relevant provisions of international law.

More Stories on : Shipping/Ports | Piracy

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
VRS may be offered to 5,000 employees at Delhi, Mumbai airports

Indian vessels plying international waters fear pirate attacks