Johnson W. Sutjipto, ASF Chairman said: The ASF supports this coalition.”
The Asian Shipowners Forum (ASF) has joined forces with a coalition of organisations ranging from trade unions to shipowners associations and insurers, to back a global e-petition, www.endpiracypetition.org, demanding concrete actions to end maritime piracy that is placing seafarers lives at risk and threatening the international shipping and the world trade.
Johnson W. Sutjipto, ASF Chairman said: The ASF supports this coalition. This is an important step that we, as Asian shipowners, have to take in order to protect our seafarers. We have also informed the organisers of this move to include the ASF in the future in such meaningful campaigns.
S.S. Teo, Chairman of the ASF Ship Navigation and Environment Committee (pictured), added: The situation has become uncontrollable and we have to put a quick stop to these criminal activities. The ASF member shipowners associations have all urged their staff and families, their member shipping lines including their national and overseas affiliated companies, etc etc to participate in this e-petition.
Mr Li Shanmin, Chairman of the ASF Seafarers Committee, added: We hope that with this joint effort, the Governments of all nations will heed this urgent request, and we can be sure that the livelihood of the seafarers and their families can be safeguarded.
The Secretary General of ASF, Mr Yuichi Sonoda, also echoed the same sentiments. He stressed: As 90% of the world trade is carried by sea, all shippers and cargo owners are also encouraged to join in the e-petition as the cost of piracy could ultimately be passed on to the consumers. Therefore it is paramount for each and every one of us to be actively involved. This e-petition is intended to deliver at least half a million signatures to governments by IMO World Maritime Day on 23 September 2010.
Source: Ship Management International