Indian Ocean Too Dangerous for Lines

(Video: PBS/KCTS • Story: International Freighting Weekly)



The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has warned that shipowners should no longer send ships through areas affected by piracy because of the risk to seafarers. In a motion adopted by its fair practice committee, the ITF said flag states and shipowners that had not taken anti-piracy measures in the Indian Ocean should act before it became “impossible for seafarers to pass through the ever-widening danger area”.

The ITF said: “Save in exceptional circumstances, ships should not transit the [affected] area. The risk of attack is now so great that putting seafarers in harm’s way amounts to a breach of the shipowner’s duty of care.”

ITF maritime coordinator Steve Cotton added: “There are countries actively fighting piracy and there are owners training and supporting their crews to resist it.