Anti-piracy groups have expressed their fury at the cold-blooded execution of a seafarer by Somali pirates last week.
The Baltic and International Maritime Council, International Chamber of Shipping, International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, International Association of Independent Tanker Owner and the International Transport Workers’ Federation have spoken of their dismay at the murder on the cargoship Beluga Nomination.
The vessel was attacked and hijacked by armed pirates on 22 January in the Indian Ocean, around 700km north of the Seychelles. Three seafarers were reportedly taken aside for “punishment”, after an attempt by the Seychelles Coastguard to free the crew resulted in the death of a pirate.
One of the Beluga Nomination crew died while being “punished”.
In a statement to IFW, the anti-piracy grouping said: “We express our deepest sympathy to the seafarers involved and to their anxious families.
“The international shipping industry is truly disturbed at reports that pirates have been torturing seafarers physically and mentally – often in the most barbaric ways, including hanging them over the ship’s side by ropes around their ankles with their heads under water, and even subjecting them to the horrendous practice of keelhauling”.
Keelhauling involves a sailor being tied to a rope, thrown overboard and dragged under the ship from one side to the other.
“This latest, particularly atrocious, action appears to represent a fundamental shift in the behaviour of Somali pirates. The cold-blooded murder of an innocent seafarer means that shipowners and their crews will be re-evaluating their current determination to ensure that this vital trade route remains open.”
The statement added: “We once again strongly urge governments to empower their naval forces to take fast and robust action against pirates and the vessels under their control, before passing ships are boarded and hijacked.
According to recent figures from the report, The Economic Cost of Piracy, acts of piracy are estimated to cost the global economy between US$7-12 billion a year.
Source: IFW
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