Obama piracy order 'unhelpful,' ship owner groups say

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

31 May 2010

A U.S. presidential order that may criminalize ransom payments to pirates in Somalia is "unhelpful," according to groups representing most of the world's shipowners. "The U.S. does not appreciate the potentially life- threatening impact of the order on the lives of over 250 seafarers currently being held captive," the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Shipping Federation said today in a joint newsletter.
More than two attacks took place off Somalia every three days in the first quarter, according to the International Maritime Bureau, which tracks sea crime. President Barack Obama on April 13 signed an order freezing the assets of Somali militias that may also make ransom payments to pirates by U.S. shipowners illegal.
The ICS is a trade group for vessel owners, while the ISF, a sister organization, focuses on crewing issues. Together they represent 75 percent of the world fleet through national shipowners' associations, Tim Watson, a policy assistant at the ICS, said by phone.

Source: Bloomberg