Piracy off Somalia is currently at the lowest level
International shippers are “impressed” with the Indian military’s confrontation of the piracy off the coast of Somalia and have expressed the appreciation of the efforts.
“We are very grateful to the efforts of the Indian military and their contribution to tackle the Somali piracy is really very impressive. The international shipping community is very pleased with that,” Simon Bennett, director of external relations of the London-based International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), said.
He pointed out that piracy off Somalia was currently at the lowest level with about 200 seafarers held in captivity.
“However, this is totally unacceptable,” he said. He also called on India to allow the embarkation and disembarkation of armed guards on merchant ships.
“We understand the sensitivities of the issues in India about people with arms and terrorism. But we are sure that working through the international community procedures can be agreed whereby it is possible to embark and disembark armed guards in India,” said Bennett, who is here to attend the three-day Asia Pacific Maritime 2012 conference in Singapore which opened yesterday.
He declined to comment on the Italian marines facing court charges in India for killing two Indian fishermen, but said the incident clearly shows the difficulties when it come to engaging armed guards – whether private sector or directly appointed by the military to guard ships sailing through pirate infested oceans.
ICS represents some 80 per cent of the world shipping fleet. More than 13,000 trade and industry visitors are expected at the exhibition held along with the conference by Reed Exhibition Group.
Source: Economic Times
