Ship unions accuse govt of apathy in hijack cases

22 Oct 2008, 0045 hrs IST, TNN
MUMBAI: While one more ship, an Indian cargo dhow with 13 crewmembers travelling from Somalia to Asia, was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, I

ndian maritime unions declared a world-wide agitation against the governments inaction in ensuring a safe passage for seafarers in the pirate-infested area and release of the crew aboard hijacked Japanese vessel MT Stolt Valor.

A day after the agitation was launched, shipping minister TR Baalu got in touch with the unions to convene a special meeting to discuss the Japanese vessel. Under guidance from the National Union of Seafarers of India
(NUSI) and the Maritime Union of India (MUI), seafarers aboard four ships, including AB Tarapore, Desh Rakshak, Pratibha Tapi and Puneet that were scheduled to travel through the Gulf of Aden, have indefinitely postponed their departure. It would be postponed until maritime authorities furnish them with details about the action taken by the government, in MT Stolt Valor case, and also about whether it is safe for them to trade in the pirate-infested areas of Somalia.

Seafarers have already indicated that they are awaiting the response from maritime authorities failing which they will not be in a position to sail. This agitation will escalate further unless the government takes concrete steps, said general secretary of NUSI Abdulgani Y Serang.