Chemical shippers urge action over Somalia piracy

19 September 2008 11:48  [Source: ICIS news]

By Mark Watts

 

LONDON (ICIS news)--Chemicals shipping organisation Intertanko on Friday urged national governments and global bodies to take action on the escalating number of violent attacks by pirates on tankers off the Somalian coast.  

 

The organisation, which represents independent owners of oil and chemical tankers, voiced concerns over the ineffectiveness of naval forces to intercept terrorist groups following a string of kidnappings in the Gulf of Aden.

 

“Some of the major shipping companies are already refusing to transit in the Gulf of Aden while others are understandably considering similar steps, with of course the potential for significant impact on world trade,” said Intertanko in a statement.

 

Intertanko, along with BIMCO, Intercargo and the International Chamber of Shipping, has joined global trade unions to formally request that the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) back an increased naval force to protect the lives of seafarers in the region.

 

The coalition said ships were being attacked almost every day, often involving kidnapping and hostage taking, with pirates using automatic weapons including rocket propelled grenades.

 

Officials on Thursday said pirates had seized a Hong Kong chemical tanker with 22 crew members and a Greek food-aid ship with a crew of 26 off the Somalian coast. All crew members were reported to be from the Philippines.

 

With the latest attacks, the tally of ships hijacked off the coast of Somalia this year has reached 40, with 133 seafarers still being held hostage.

 

“While the naval forces are indeed ready to tackle the piracy problem, they need a clear signal from governments, through unequivocal rules of engagement, to do so,” said the shipping coalition.

 

It said continued inaction could prompt shipowners to redirect ships via the Cape of Good Hope, circumventing the African continent, with severe consequences for international trade including increased prices for goods.

 

IMO spokesman Lee Adamson said the organisation had already requested support from UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon for the extension of UN Resolution 1816, which would permit further powers for naval interception in the region.

 

Adopted on 2 June, the resolution permits states cooperating with Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, to enter the country’s territorial waters for a period of six months and use “all necessary means” to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in a manner consistent with international law.

 

The International Maritime Bureau, the lead recording body for piracy, estimates over 1,200 Somalis and at least six major groups are involved in the attacks.  

 

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By: Mark Watts
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