The effect of piracy globally, off Somalia and increasingly in the waters of Benin and Nigeria, is a serious problem for seafarers who are constantly under threat, according to latest Asian Shipowners Forum (ASF) held in Manila.

The continuing threat of piracy on commercial shipping is of deep concern not only to seafarers and their families dealing with trauma over long periods of loved ones held hostage and post-traumatic stress for those captured, said members of The Seafarers Committee of the Asian Shipowners Forum.

“The situation continues to be a serious crisis, one that deeply affects the mental health of seafarers and their families as well as the carriage of world trade, said Seafarers Committee chairman Li Shanmin. “We demand that the threat to our seafarers and their families is not forgotten, and that all possible is done to alleviate the situation.”

Members of the ASF Seafarers Committee included the ASF secretary general and delegates from the shipowner associations in China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and FASA, as represented by the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. During the meeting, the committee also discussed other issues of concern to Asian shipowners.

The Asian Shipowners’ Forum is a voluntary organisation of the shipowner associations of Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and the Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Associations comprising shipping associations of ASEAN countries. It has been estimated that ASF owners and managers control and operate nearly 50% of the world’s cargo carrying fleet.

Source: Shipping Tribune