11 Gennaio 2010
A global trade union is urging its members not to sail to the Gulf of Aden and off the east coast of Somalia unless they are escorted by naval convoys.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation said the threat of piracy off Somalia is so severe that ships should only transit the route under “exceptional circumstances.”
“So risky is it that putting seafarers in harm’s way amounts to a breach of the shipowners’ duty of care,” an ITF spokesman said.
The ITF move adds to the strain on shipping companies who are now faced with the prospect of extremely high insurance charges and delayed trade.
Some companies are now moving their operations to the Southern Cape even though the journey takes longer and is more costly. Others are taking more drastic measures including the deployment of former soldiers for protection.
The ITF said its action was ‘a statement of intent that flag states and shipowners must assess the risks involved and act definitively to combat piracy or risk breaching the law.’
ITF maritime co-ordinator Steve Cotton said some countries were actively fighting piracy while some ship owners were training and supporting crews to resist attack.
Others, however, are “shirking responsibility, which is as good as accepting this steadily growing menace that has made one of the world’s greatest trading routes almost too dangerous to navigate,” said Mr Cotton.
Acting with impunity
The ITF said its move reflected the “frustration of all those who work at sea at the dire situation we’ve reached — one where pirates act virtually unmolested and even if intercepted, with virtual impunity from arrest.”
The ITF wants flag states to specify the protective measures to be used on their ships and to uphold the right of seafarers not enter dangerous zones.
Some governments and trade unions are annoyed that only one-third of all flag states are actively contributing to vessel protection off the Somali coast despite the fact that 80 per cent of all ships are said to be at risk.
Although the Union says naval protection will aid in keeping ships safe, it regrets that organising such convoys is expensive and time consuming while many ship owners say it would be impractical.
Fonte :http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/839126/-/pwwr7oz/-/index.html
foto:www.theeastafrican.co.ke
