Piracy escalates with 60 hostages so far losing their lives
As piracy escalates and with 60 hostages so far losing their lives, the former President of the European Community Shipowners’ Association has called for tougher measures to tackle the growing problem including the formation of a Global Task Force.
Marnix van Overklift, speaking yesterday at a European Parliament seminar on piracy, also reminded the International Community of its obligation to ensure safe navigation in international waters as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Since 2008, over 3,000 seafarers have been taken hostage and at this time, up to 400 are believed to be captive in Somalia. Mr van Overklift, while appreciating the efforts of the European Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) and other military forces, called for their security strategy to be continued and strengthened both in terms of resources made available by Member States with robust rules of engagement.
He said the lack of military resources had forced ship owners to use private armed guards to protect their crews but this had introduced a multitude of practical problems such as the certification of guards and liability issues.
“A UN framework agreement on the use of private armed guards should be developed. It should be clear that the use of private armed guards being a necessity now should not become the norm. Therefore ECSA encourages EU NAVFOR, NATO, Coalition Maritime Forces (CMF) and national convoy providers to improve coordination of convoys and group transits in the Gulf of Aden,” he said.
Mr van Overklift, who is a board member of ECSA, also called for governments to make military Vessel Protection Detachments (VPDs) available and the establishment of land-based military task forces in the piracy area.
“These military forces stationed in the area could board vulnerable ships prior to entering the piracy area and get off when exiting,” he explained.
An EU Task Force, he said, should be set up leading to the establishment of a Global Task Force to eradicate piracy in all areas of the world and this should include a legal system to ensure pirates are brought to justice and prosecuted.
“The concrete action to eradicate piracy cannot be postponed any more. We urge the European Parliament to use its political clout to issue a strong message to the EU Member States and the International Community to act now on the lines as suggested,” said Mr van Overklift.
Source: Shipmanagement International
