930,000 sign IMO petition to end piracy

GLOBAL maritime organisations have handed in an "End Piracy" petition to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London, as part of a campaign intended to coincide with World Maritime Day.

The 930,000-signature petition, handed to IMO secretary general Efthimios Mitropoulus calls for action to secure the release of kidnapped seafarers and the resources to bring about an end to piracy, reports London's International Freighting Weekly.

"Piracy is endangering the lives of thousands of seafarers a day," said Abdulgani Serang, general secretary of the National Union of Seafarers of India. "It is endangering the well being of their families and endangering world trade.

"This crime wave seems unstoppable. But it needn't be. We believe that it is preventable. If there is the political will to do so.

"Instead of obtaining 500,000 signatures, as originally planned, we are presenting a petition of over 930,000 signatories collected in 185 countries. Each is a vote for a realistic, co-ordinated response to piracy: for more resources, for more naval action, for proper prosecutions of the guilty and support for the innocent, both onboard ships and on land in Somalia."

This follows an announcement by CMA CGM, Maersk and MSC that they are teaming up to share information and experience in an attempt to prevent piracy.
(Source:www.schednet.com)