Global e-petition seeks action to end piracy

Several organisations have joined together to back a global e-petition demanding concrete action to end the piracy that is putting lives at risk and threatening world trade.

The petition www.endpiracypetition.org, which launched today, is the centrepiece of a new campaign to persuade all governments to commit the resources necessary to end the increasing problem of Somalia-based piracy. It is intended to deliver at least half-a-million signatures to governments by the International Maritime Organisation World Maritime Day, September 23.

It calls on nations to dedicate significant resources and work to find real solutions to the growing piracy problem; take immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of kidnapped seafarers to their families; and work within the international community to secure a stable and peaceful future for Somalia and its people.

The campaign is being backed by several organisationss organisations such as Bimco, ICS, IFSMA, Imec and Ipta as well as national shipowners' associations and trade unions worldwide.

Speaking on behalf of all the signatory associations, ISF President Spyros M Polemis said: "Together we must encourage all governments to do everything necessary to protect the lives of seafarers who are subject to increasingly violent attacks, with over 1,800 kidnapped in the last two years alone." Ninety per cent of world trade is carried by sea and governments have a duty to extend the naval protection being provided - which is currently inadequate - and regain control of the Indian Ocean from a handful of criminals."