Pirates take ransom cash, but renege on deal to let all crew go

PIRATES have been paid to release a merchant ship and its crew, but have failed to release all the crew, outraging the International Chamber of Shipping, ITF, Indian National Shipowners' Association, NUSI, MUI, IMEC, InterManager, Intertanko and BIMCO.


The joint statement expressed "utmost concern" that the hijacking by Somali pirates last September of the 3,884-ton Asphalt Venture, an asphalt/bitumen tanker, has resulted in the vessel being released on April 15 after a ransom had been paid, but not all the crew.


The pirates had agreed with the shipowners that all 15 crew members and vessel would be released upon payment of the ransom, however, the tanker's master has reported that six officers and one rating were taken off the tanker and forced to accompany the pirates ashore, the statement said.


It cited media reports as claiming that the pirates in Harardhere have decided to prolong the hostage ordeal of the seven seafarers in retaliation for the arrest of Somali pirates by the Indian Navy in recent weeks.


"This is a fundamental change to previous practice and moves the issue from being just between the shipowner and the pirates to being between the pirates and a government. It is a major shift in the pirate-hostage equation, which will need to be considered and addressed by the international community," the shipping bodies said.


"As the state of lawlessness spirals downward in the Indian Ocean and the level of violence that pirates are prepared to use to coerce seafarers and to influence the hostage negotiation increases, this breach of the ransom agreement sets a precedent that is of the utmost concern."


The shipping bodies expressed their grave concern over this new development, adding that international governments are continuing to fail to "adequately respond to this 21st century example of organised and violent criminality that threatens the safe passage of world trade through the region."
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)