World push for piracy action launches tomorrow

News Release International Transport Federation (ITF) May 21, 2010

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19 May 2010<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
An unprecedented coalition of organisations – from trade unions to
shipowners’ associations and insurers – has joined forces to back a global
e-petition demanding concrete action to end the piracy that is putting lives at
risk and threatening world trade.<o:p></o:p>
The
petition <A
href="http://www.endpiracypetition.org/">www.endpiracypetition.org</A>,
which launches tomorrow (Thursday) is the centrepiece of a new campaign to
persuade all governments to commit the resources necessary to end the increasing
problem of Somalia-based piracy. It is intended to deliver at least half a
million signatures to governments by <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:stockticker
w:st="on">IMO</st1:stockticker> World Maritime Day, September 23rd. It calls on
nations to:<o:p></o:p>
• Dedicate
significant resources and work to find real solutions to the growing piracy
problem. • Take immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of
kidnapped seafarers to their families • Work within the international
community to secure a stable and peaceful future for <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Somalia</st1:place></st1:country-region> and its
people<o:p></o:p>
The
campaign is being backed by BIMCO, ICS, IFSMA, IMEC, IPTA, Intercargo,
InterManager, International Group of P&I Clubs, INTERTANKO, ISF, ITF, IUMI
and SIGTTO*, as well as national shipowners’ associations and trade unions
worldwide.<o:p></o:p>
ITF
General Secretary David Cockroft commented: “With one click everyone can now
make their feelings about piracy known, and then pass the link on to all their
colleagues around the world who feel the same. In this way we can signal our
belief that it is past time for all governments to do what has to be done to
protect seafarers, ships and the goods that they carry and on which we all
rely.”<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Speaking on behalf of all the signatory associations, ISF President,
Spyros M Polemis, explained:  “Together we must encourage all governments
to do everything necessary to protect the lives of seafarers who are subject to
increasingly violent attacks, with over 1800 kidnapped in the last two years
alone. Ninety per cent of world trade is carried by sea and governments have a
duty to extend the naval protection being provided - which is currently
inadequate - and regain control of the <st1:place w:st="on">Indian
Ocean</st1:place> from a handful of criminals.”<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The
text of the petition is:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Enough
is enough! Governments must act now to fight piracy<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Almost
every day seafarers are being kidnapped and exposed to an increasing risk of
injury or even death<o:p></o:p>
 <o:p></o:p>
Every
day seafarers transport the world’s goods through areas where the risk of pirate
attack is increasing<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Every
day seafarers’ families are suffering worry and
uncertainty<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Every
day the chances of attracting people to jobs at sea - on which
all our economies rely - are shrinking<o:p></o:p>
 <o:p></o:p>
Every
day shipping companies and their insurers have to pay for increasing anti-piracy
measures, extra fuel and ransoms - costs that are eventually passed on to the
consumer<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Every
day the risk of a major ecological disaster due to an oil spill caused by piracy
increases<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Every
day the chances of a recovery in the world economy are being jeopardised by
this threat to world trade<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
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 by:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
• dedicating
significant resources and concerted efforts to find real solutions to the
growing piracy problem;<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
• taking
immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of kidnapped seafarers to
their families;<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
• working
within the international community to secure a stable and peaceful future for
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Somalia</st1:place></st1:country-region> and its
people.<o:p></o:p>
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