Tanker calling at Indonesian refinery attacked by pirates
Saturday, May 22 2004 - 02:36 AM WIB
John Fawcett-Ellis, Asia Pacific manger for Intertanko, told Dow Jones Newswires at a press briefing in Singapore that the loaded Singapore-flagged vessel belonging to a member of Intertanko was waiting to discharge when it was attacked.
The crew onboard the unidentified tanker, a relatively difficult vessel to board because of its size and height, was attacked by men with knives, said Fawcett-Ellis and his colleague, Peter Swift, Intertanko's managing director.
The pirates took with them auxiliary engine spare parts on the ship, a move that isn't consistent with petty robbers, who usually go for cash and mobile phones, the Intertanko representatives said.
Intertanko officials said the incident raises concerns at a time when terrorist attacks are on the rise, and in this particular case, is even more distressing, as the men boarded a tanker in waters near an Indonesian naval base.
The incident again raises speculation of possible 'collusion' between pirates and authorized individuals, said Swift of allegations reported in the past.
Robbery at sea has also become increasingly violent, Intertanko officials said, in stressing the need for port states to comply with higher maritime security regulations.
Intertanko is urging port states which haven't made any progress to rectify treaties they have supported verbally to act and comply with a new and more comprehensive maritime security convention.
The call comes ahead of the July 1 implementation deadline for the new International Ship and Port Facility Security or ISPS Code.
Shipowners and port states are expected to comply with the deadline for more stringent maritime security measures that are aimed at countering terrorism and piracy at sea.
The shipping industry at large is expected to see a few cargo delays in some parts of the world during the early days of the ISPS Code implementation, Swift said. (*)