ID :
30749
Mon, 11/17/2008 - 18:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/30749
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Deployment of UN forces on Somali sea route sought
New Delhi, Nov 17 (PTI) After the release of M.T.Stolt
Valor, which was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden with 18 Indian
sailors, the agency recruiting crew members for the vessel has
demanded deployment of United Nations coalition forces on the
sea route to prevent such incidents.
The Ebony Ship Management (E.S.M.), which is in charge of
crew management for the Central Marine Company, the
Japan-based company owning M.T.Stolt Valor, has said India
should take up the matter with other affected countries and
ask for deployment of such forces to ensure safe passage of
ships.
"Such cases of piracy are on rise. Countries being
affected by this criminal act need to put all efforts for
having U.N. coalition forces on the Gulf of Aden," Prashant
Rangnekar, Managing Director of E.S.M., told PTI from Mumbai.
Eighteen Indian sailors were yesterday freed after two
months in captivity as the Somali pirates released the
hijacked merchant ship after a ransom amount of up to 2.5
million dollars was paid.
Rangnekar said that the Indian government has deployed
Navy in the Gulf of Aden to protect ships from pirates.
"This is of course a good sign. But more needs to be
done by the government to increase the presence of forces
there," he said.
The agency, which was in touch with the family members
of sailors, had hired professional counsellors to provide
counselling to the family members.
"But the release brought much relief to the family
members. The sailors will be reaching Mumbai in another one
week time," he said.
M.T.Stolt Valor was hijacked on September 15 when it was
transiting the Gulf of Aden, bound for Mumbai.
The vessel was in the Designated Safety Corridor in
accordance with the recommendations that were issued by the
International Coalition of warships entrusted with the task of
safeguarding vessels in the Gulf of Aden against pirate
attacks, Rangnekar said.
He said the Central Marine Company had hired professional
negotiators for ensuring safe return of the crew. PTI BKM
SAK
Valor, which was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden with 18 Indian
sailors, the agency recruiting crew members for the vessel has
demanded deployment of United Nations coalition forces on the
sea route to prevent such incidents.
The Ebony Ship Management (E.S.M.), which is in charge of
crew management for the Central Marine Company, the
Japan-based company owning M.T.Stolt Valor, has said India
should take up the matter with other affected countries and
ask for deployment of such forces to ensure safe passage of
ships.
"Such cases of piracy are on rise. Countries being
affected by this criminal act need to put all efforts for
having U.N. coalition forces on the Gulf of Aden," Prashant
Rangnekar, Managing Director of E.S.M., told PTI from Mumbai.
Eighteen Indian sailors were yesterday freed after two
months in captivity as the Somali pirates released the
hijacked merchant ship after a ransom amount of up to 2.5
million dollars was paid.
Rangnekar said that the Indian government has deployed
Navy in the Gulf of Aden to protect ships from pirates.
"This is of course a good sign. But more needs to be
done by the government to increase the presence of forces
there," he said.
The agency, which was in touch with the family members
of sailors, had hired professional counsellors to provide
counselling to the family members.
"But the release brought much relief to the family
members. The sailors will be reaching Mumbai in another one
week time," he said.
M.T.Stolt Valor was hijacked on September 15 when it was
transiting the Gulf of Aden, bound for Mumbai.
The vessel was in the Designated Safety Corridor in
accordance with the recommendations that were issued by the
International Coalition of warships entrusted with the task of
safeguarding vessels in the Gulf of Aden against pirate
attacks, Rangnekar said.
He said the Central Marine Company had hired professional
negotiators for ensuring safe return of the crew. PTI BKM
SAK
