Brussels, 02/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Community Ship-owners' Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) have criticised outstanding issues on the fight against piracy: insurance, prosecution, security guards and ransoms after a seminar on piracy and armed robbery held by the European Commission in Brussels on 28-29 March.
Although they appreciate the role of the EU in responding to the problem of piracy, ECSA and ETF point out that many questions are still without answers, in the view of the maritime industry. This calls for “decisive interventions to defeat piracy, to protect the seafarers and to allow shipowners to operate their business in a normal way. The priority must be that the seafarers are not placed in harm's way”. Indeed, although the social partners take the view that the EU remains the best-placed international institution to act against piracy (and is acting as such, by keeping the ATALANTA mission in place, amongst other things), they would also like greater efforts to be made, not only on land in the long run, but also in the medium term at sea. ECSA and ETF are calling for a prudent approach to ransoms, noting that banning these could endanger human life. The prosecution of pirates should be promoted in all member states. Lastly, the associations take the view that decisions should be made on insurance and liability, and on the use of public or private security guards. (MD/transl.fl)