Asian Shipowners Forum signs global anti-piracy petition

THE Asian Shipowners Forum (ASF) has joined forces with a coalition of organisations to back a global e-petition, www.endpiracypetition.org demanding concrete action be taken to end maritime piracy that is "placing seafarers' lives at risk and threatening international shipping and world trade."

"We, the undersigned, urgently call on governments to do everything possible to protect the thousands of seafarers and the hundreds of ships at risk of attack by pirates," the petition said.

"Dedicating significant resources and concerted efforts to find real solutions to the growing piracy problem; taking immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of kidnapped seafarers to their families; working within the international community to secure a stable and peaceful future for Somalia and its people," the petition said.
(Source:www.schednet.com)