ID :
98234
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 09:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/98234
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KPI: SINGAPORE MUST HELP FREE 17 SEAMEN
Jakarta, Jan 4 (ANTARA) - The Association of Indonesian Seamen (KPI) has urged the government to ask the Singapore authorities involved in the settlement of the ship hijacking case in Somalia, because 17 of the 22 crew members of the vessel are Indonesians.
"The Singapore government`s active role is very crucial, because the oil tanker of a Norwegian company was flying the Singaporean colours," KPI president Hanafi Rustandi said in a press release received in Jakarta Monday.
The tanker, MT Pramoni, is under the management and operated by PT Berlian Laju Tanker (BLT) based in Jakarta. The result of an investigation by the International Transport workers Federation (ITF) in Tuticorin, India, on February 21, 2009, the vessel has 19 crew members (seven officers and 12 ratings, including three cadets).
The vessel also has no collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with KPI. The crew also have no marine employment agreement under the KPI.
"Protection of the crew is given by the Singapore Maritime Officers Union (SMOU) or the Singapore Organization of Seamen`s Agreement effective until November 14, 2009," Hanafi said.
The ship was in Singapore`s jurisdiction according to the flag state. Therefore the Singapore government needs to be proactive and accountable for the settlement of the ship hijacking case according to international law.
The tanker hijacked on January 1, 2010, in Somalia belonged to RS Platou Finans AS of Norway. It used to fly the Singapore flag if the owners met the conditions, such as payment of tax of the Singapore government.
The ship may be using foreign seamen because the number of Singapore seamen is very limited. The Norwegian tanker was then chartered by BLT Jakarta with the employment of 17 Indonesian seamen.
Hanafi believed that there is no need for the Indonesian government to take its own action in freeing the ship and its crew. This is the responsibility of the Singapore government and the party which had chartered it which need to be proactive in freeing the ship and its crew.
Negotiations need to be held immediately and agreeing on the ransom asked by the hijackers. "The ship will be freed soon because the hijackers were merely demanding a ransom", Hanafi said. The crew members were reported to be in a safe condition, and had been tortured by the hijackers.
KPI is still waiting for the development of the case.***5***
"The Singapore government`s active role is very crucial, because the oil tanker of a Norwegian company was flying the Singaporean colours," KPI president Hanafi Rustandi said in a press release received in Jakarta Monday.
The tanker, MT Pramoni, is under the management and operated by PT Berlian Laju Tanker (BLT) based in Jakarta. The result of an investigation by the International Transport workers Federation (ITF) in Tuticorin, India, on February 21, 2009, the vessel has 19 crew members (seven officers and 12 ratings, including three cadets).
The vessel also has no collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with KPI. The crew also have no marine employment agreement under the KPI.
"Protection of the crew is given by the Singapore Maritime Officers Union (SMOU) or the Singapore Organization of Seamen`s Agreement effective until November 14, 2009," Hanafi said.
The ship was in Singapore`s jurisdiction according to the flag state. Therefore the Singapore government needs to be proactive and accountable for the settlement of the ship hijacking case according to international law.
The tanker hijacked on January 1, 2010, in Somalia belonged to RS Platou Finans AS of Norway. It used to fly the Singapore flag if the owners met the conditions, such as payment of tax of the Singapore government.
The ship may be using foreign seamen because the number of Singapore seamen is very limited. The Norwegian tanker was then chartered by BLT Jakarta with the employment of 17 Indonesian seamen.
Hanafi believed that there is no need for the Indonesian government to take its own action in freeing the ship and its crew. This is the responsibility of the Singapore government and the party which had chartered it which need to be proactive in freeing the ship and its crew.
Negotiations need to be held immediately and agreeing on the ransom asked by the hijackers. "The ship will be freed soon because the hijackers were merely demanding a ransom", Hanafi said. The crew members were reported to be in a safe condition, and had been tortured by the hijackers.
KPI is still waiting for the development of the case.***5***
