Shipping minister GK Vasan calls for unified UN Force to tackle piracy

Stressing the fact that 90 per cent of world trade is carried by sea, he lauded the silent but pivotal role played by 1.5 million seafarers across the world.He expressed happiness

at the release of all 22 crew members including six Indian seafarers from MV Suez by Somalian pirates.
Highlighting the threat posed to international shipping by piracy and its growing instances in the last two to three years particularly around the Gulf of Aden, he outlined the steps taken by the ministry of shipping in close coordination with the Navy, the ministry of external affairs and the ship owners to secure the release of the seafarers. It was due to the efforts of the government that 150 Indian seafarers had been released safely so far while 39 Indian seafarers were still held as hostages by Somalian pirates. He expressed the hope of securing their release at the earliest.
While thanking the Navies of other countries including Pakistan who have been working closely with India in fighting the menace of piracy, he placed on record the efforts of the Indian government and Navy in doing their best to combat piracy. He called for a more coordinated and stronger response from the international community to control this problem.
India has been raising the piracy issue in all international fora including UN and its Security Council and the International Maritime Organisation stressing the need for a unified force under the UN to fight piracy. Vasan expressed the hope that the campaign being started today would create awareness in the international community about the problems of the seafarers and lead to a stronger response from the UN against piracy.
India is one of the major manpower suppliers to the world shipping industry, contributing about six to eight per cent of the total manpower.
On the occasion of the 1st International Day of Seafarers, the Union minister of shipping announced a set of welfare initiatives to be implemented before the next Day of Seafarers, ie before June 25, 2012. These include: starting a Contributory Annuity Scheme for Seafarers by the SPFO, so that seafarers are assured of a monthly income through this scheme. As per the ILO Convention, all seafarers have to be issued with biometric identity document. This project is also in an advanced stage and the SID cards will be issued soon. The amount presently being paid under the Monthly Ex-Gratia Monetary Scheme (MEMA) is only Rs200 per month.
It is proposed to increase this amount and also extend the scheme to all categories of seafarers. In order to address the grievances of the seafarers and to make the Mercantile Marine Administration more accessible, a grievance redressal day will be conducted in every MMD office once in six months. Seamen Clubs will be established in all major ports and land will be given by the ports at concessional rates to establish these clubs. The issue of granting IT exemption for seafarers would be taken up with the ministry of finance.
The celebrations were attended by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral NirmalVerma, secretary shipping, K Mohandas and a galaxy of other distinguished personalities from the maritime sector.
Source: PTI