EVEN as the Indian Navy escorts Jug Arnav, the Indian merchant vessel which was almost hijacked on Tuesday in Gulf of Aden
Fear of more pirate attacks starts debate on appointing guards on vesselsEVEN as the Indian Navy escorts Jug Arnav, the Indian merchant vessel which was almost hijacked on Tuesday in Gulf of Aden, fear of more such attacks is propelling Indian ship-owners to debate on the option of travelling in a convoy under protection of the Navy or appointing marshals akin to those appointed in airlines.
“We will only know whether rules permit us to take these measures after we discuss the thought with the Director General of shipping. Also, it would mean a lot of detailing if the ships have to travel in a convoy at a particular time under the Navy’s protection. It is a major concern for the ship-owners as it is affecting the morale of the crew and their families,” said Shashank Kulkarni, secretary general of Indian National Ship-owners Association (INSA).
The fear is not unfounded. About a month after MV Stolt Valour of Japan was hijacked on September15, another Indian flagship MV Prem Mala carrying Aviation Turbine fuel from Kuwait to London was anchored in mid-sea when the crew worried of their safety, refused to travel through the Gulf of Aden. It took a lot of assurances from the company before the crew finally made the journey.
With about $100 billion of Indian sea trade at stake, ship-owners are a worried lot as they stand to lose about $10,000 to $25,000 dollars every day because in the Gulf of Aden.
Last week, the international shipping federation urged governments around the world to do more individually and collectively through the United Nations to tackle pirates in the region.
“The governments could do more by having the navy the area,” said Kulkarni.
Of the 30 Somali incidents recorded from April to June this year, at least eight vessels have been fired at by pirates.
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