ITF Seeks Coalition of Govts Action Against Pirates in Gulf of Guinea
International Transport Federtion (ITF) has raised alarm over the continued attacks by pirates on ships off the Gulf of Guinea, saying it was time for a coalition of governments to act to address the problem.
Condemning the attack which led to the death of one of the seafarers and abduction of 15 others on board container ship MV Mozart the Union said governments must act immediately.
According to ITF, Gulf of Guinea was becoming a “bay of blood”
In an online report carried by Safety4sea, the Union recalled how the Liberian flagged container vessel had been boarded by pirates, approximately 98nm NW of Sao Tome.
In the incident, four armed pirates attacked the ship, beating crew members and shooting one seafarer dead.
Safety4sea reports that followign this,ITF Seafarers’ Section Chairman,David Heindel said there was the need to take immediate action to prevent more seafares from being murdered in the Gulf of Guinea.
It would be recalled that after the piracy attack, Turkey’s authorities identified the slain man as Farman Ismayilov, an Azerbaijani engineer and only non-Turkish crew member onboard.
President Tayyip Erdogan’s office followign the incdient reported that his government would be organising for the “rescue of kidnapped ship personnel”.
“We thank Turkey for their attempts to rescue the surviving crew but West African governments also must act to stop the deaths of more seafarers off their coastlines.Our hearts go out to Farman and his family. Authorities must act together to stop further raids on seafarers in the Gulf of Guinea.”
…Heindel added.
ITF Seafarers’ Section Coordinator Fabrizio Barcellona stated that the governments had failed to protect seafarers from armed pirates, arms dealers and drug smugglers. In fact he highlighted that:
“Governments need to make good on their commitments to deter pirates with a strong naval and coastguard presence.Without immediate action, more seafarers risk being shot and killed. The Gulf of Guinea is becoming a bay of blood.”..reports by Safety4Sea.
Condemning the attack which led to the death of one of the seafarers and abduction of 15 others on board container ship MV Mozart the Union said governments must act immediately.
According to ITF, Gulf of Guinea was becoming a “bay of blood”
In an online report carried by Safety4sea, the Union recalled how the Liberian flagged container vessel had been boarded by pirates, approximately 98nm NW of Sao Tome.
In the incident, four armed pirates attacked the ship, beating crew members and shooting one seafarer dead.
Safety4sea reports that followign this,ITF Seafarers’ Section Chairman,David Heindel said there was the need to take immediate action to prevent more seafares from being murdered in the Gulf of Guinea.
It would be recalled that after the piracy attack, Turkey’s authorities identified the slain man as Farman Ismayilov, an Azerbaijani engineer and only non-Turkish crew member onboard.
President Tayyip Erdogan’s office followign the incdient reported that his government would be organising for the “rescue of kidnapped ship personnel”.
“We thank Turkey for their attempts to rescue the surviving crew but West African governments also must act to stop the deaths of more seafarers off their coastlines.Our hearts go out to Farman and his family. Authorities must act together to stop further raids on seafarers in the Gulf of Guinea.”
…Heindel added.
ITF Seafarers’ Section Coordinator Fabrizio Barcellona stated that the governments had failed to protect seafarers from armed pirates, arms dealers and drug smugglers. In fact he highlighted that:
“Governments need to make good on their commitments to deter pirates with a strong naval and coastguard presence.Without immediate action, more seafarers risk being shot and killed. The Gulf of Guinea is becoming a bay of blood.”..reports by Safety4Sea.
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