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FROM THE DAILY CHAMPION (NIGERIA), ALSO ALL AFRICA;
***Ship Owners Urge Govts to End Piracy
14 March 2011
Mar 14, 2011 (Daily Champion/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Ship owners and seafarers are calling on 'people power' to push their governments to act now and show the political will to resolve the growing Somali piracy crisis before it strangles world trade and before more innocent seafarers are tortured and murdered. The SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign, launched Tuesday by BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Shipping Federation (ISF), Intercargo, INTERTANKO and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), is aimed at encouraging millions of people around the world to heap pressure on their national Governments to crack down on piracy. The Somali piracy crisis affects you and every one of us worldwide. The dramatic recent extension of the pirates' operating area right across the Indian Ocean means that there are now no alternative routes to avoid the Somali pirate gangs, especially for tankers coming out of the Gulf. Ship owners and seafarers are reevaluating their current determination to ensure that these vital trade routes remain open, and are going to have to choose whether to trade through this area or not. Merchant ships are being attacked daily, running a gauntlet of gunfire and rocket propelled grenade attacks from armed gangs of Somali pirates. Over 800 seafarers are currently held hostage on their hijacked ships. Subjected to physical and psychological abuse for months at a time, they are held ransom for millions of dollars. Yet even when caught red handed by naval forces, 80 percent of pirates are released to attack again. Why? Because the world's politicians don't realise the severity of this critical situation. The governments give the orders. The governments hold the key to resolving this crisis. But they seem unwilling to face reality and act. Their brief to the naval forces is simply to deter and disrupt, unless it involves a national interest. Enough is enough. The Round Table of international shipping associations (RT) and the ITF are placing hard-hitting advertisements in key major international newspapers on 1 March to kick off the SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign which highlights the plight of seafarers and, with six specific requests, brings pressure to bear on governments to show more political will and fewer legalistic excuses in dealing with Somali piracy. They specifically requested governments to recognise the threat to our seafarers and the world economy, and take the necessary steps to eradicate piracy at sea and ashore by; make effort to reduce the effectiveness of the easily-identifiable pirate motherships as well as authorize naval forces to detain pirates and deliver them for prosecution and punishment. They are also asking for full criminalising all acts of piracy and intent to commit piracy under national laws in accordance with their mandatory duty to co-operate to suppress piracy under international conventions; increase naval assets available in the area; as well as provide greater protection and support for seafarers. They equally asked for tracing and criminalising the organisers and financiers behind the criminal networks. As pirates use hijacked merchant ships (so-called motherships) to extend their reach almost to India's coast some 1,500 miles from Somalia, the lawlessness has spread right across the Indian Ocean through which half the world's oil supply passes. Tankers coming from the Gulf and the Middle East can no longer avoid the pirates -and a hijacked tanker with 2 million barrels of oil represents 20 percent of daily oil imports to the USA. In addition to the human cost, piracy is believed to be strangling key supply routes and costing the global economy $12 billion a year.
FROM THE BBC:
Israel seizes Egypt-bound ship 'with weapons for Gaza'
Israeli commandos have intercepted an Egypt-bound ship Israel says was carrying arms for militant groups in the Gaza Strip.
The German-owned vessel - the Victoria - was on its way from Turkey to the Egyptian port of Alexandria, it said. It was seized some 200 miles (320km) from the shore in international waters. Israeli forces did not meet resistance from the crew and the vessel was being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod, security sources told the BBC. "On the boat we discovered many weapons destined for terror groups in the heart of Gaza," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The source of the weapons was Iran which is trying to arm the Strip." Turkey 'not involved'The Liberian-flagged vessel was chartered by a French company, the military said. It departed from Lattakia port in Syria to Mersin port in Turkey, from where it set off bound for Alexandria, it said. It stressed that Turkey was not involved in the alleged weapons shipment. Relations between the two countries have been strained since Israeli commandos raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last May, killing nine Turkish activists on board. The military gave no details on what type or quantity of arms were on board, saying only that an initial search of three containers had revealed arms and there were many more containers on board. It said a detailed inspection of the cargo would be carried out at port. Israel maintains a land and sea blockade of the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Islamist Hamas group. In the past, Israel has accused Hamas militants of shipping arms through Egypt. In 2009, the Israeli navy intercepted the Francop, a ship Israel said was carrying hundreds of tonnes of arms from Iran to the Lebanese Shia Muslim movement, Hezbollah. In 2002, Israeli forces stormed the Karine A freighter in the Red Sea, and confiscated what the military said was 50 tonnes of weaponry headed for Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Italy blocks ferry of Moroccans fleeing LibyaItaly has prevented a ferry carrying 1,800 people, mainly Moroccans fleeing the fighting in Libya, from docking in Sicily. The ship had sailed from Tripoli and asked for permission to refuel on the island after being refused entry to Malta, Italian media said. Meanwhile, 41 people are feared drowned after a boat carrying migrants capsized off Tunisia, UN officials say. Five were rescued by another boat heading to the island of Lampedusa. Since Monday, 21 boats have arrived on the Italian island from Tunisia carrying 1,600 migrants. The boat which went down at around midnight on Sunday night, three hours after leaving the southern port of Zarzis, had been carrying 41 men and five boys. "We talked to the five survivors in Lampedusa," UN refugee agency spokesman Federico Fossi told the BBC News website. "They were in the water for eight hours. They saw one boat passing by but it didn't stop. The other one that rescued them had 45 people on board. That was also in distress and that was rescued by a military ship." Italian ordersThe Mistral Express ferry that sailed from western Libya is now approximately 150 miles from the port of Augusta on Sicily's east coast. It was blocked from sailing closer into Italian waters on the orders of the Italian interior ministry, officials said, while they found out who was on board and what their intentions were. The ferry is understood to be carrying 1,715 Moroccans, 35 Algerians, 26 Egyptians, 7 Tunisians and other people from Mali, Sudan, Syria and Mauritania. The boat was said to have been chartered by the passengers who had been working in Libya at the time of the revolt against Col Gaddafi.
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:
Pirate threatens India after capture of 61 pirates
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Five dozen pirates living on a hijacked ship serving as a roving pirate base jumped into the Arabian Sea on Monday after the Indian navy fired on the vessel in self-defense, the navy said Monday. The navy captured 61 pirates fleeing the battle and the fire that broke out aboard the hijacked vessel. The battle is the latest example of the piracy trade's turn toward increased violence. A pirate in Somalia threatened Indian sailors and the government with targeted attacks in retaliation for the arrests. The Indian navy said a patrol aircraft spotted the mothership Friday while responding to another vessel reporting a pirate attack. The pirates aborted the hijacking attempt and tried to escape on the mothership. When the Indian ships closed in Sunday night, the pirates fired on them. The hijacked vessel caught fire when the Indian navy returned fire, the navy said. The pirates had hijacked the Mozambique-flagged Vega 5 in December and had used it as a mothership. Indian sailors rescued 13 crew members from the Vega 5 Sunday night about 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) off Kochi in southern India, the statement said. The pirates were carrying about 80 to 90 small arms or rifles and a few heavier weapons, likely rocket-propelled grenades, it said. The statement did not describe any casualties among the navy, the fishermen or the pirates in Sunday's clash. The pirates were being taken to Mumbai, India's financial capital, to be prosecuted for attacking the Indian ships. Piracy has plagued the shipping industry off East Africa for years, but violence and ransom demands have escalated in recent months. Pirates held some 30 ships and more than 660 hostages as of February. A self-described pirate in Somalia who gave his name as Bile Hussein said the arrests will lead to "trouble" for Indian sailors and ships. "They better release them, considering their people traveling in the waters, or we shall jail their people like that," he said. "We are first sending a message to the Indian government of releasing our friends in their hands or else they have to be ready for their citizens to be mistreated in the near future." The Indian navy's third anti-piracy operation this year followed the capture of 28 Somali pirates last month and another 15 in January. Both groups are to be prosecuted in Mumbai. Indian warships have been escorting merchant ships as part of international anti-piracy surveillance in the area since 2008. Several nations, including the United States, are prosecuting pirate suspects captured by their militaries. But other suspects have been released as countries weigh legal issues and other factors. The prosecutions, the growth of criminal gangs participating in piracy and the ever-increasing ransoms have heightened confrontations. Five Puntland security forces and two pirates were killed earlier this month during a failed attempt to rescue Danish captives taken from their hijacked yacht to a pirate stronghold in the semiautonomous northern region of Somalia. Weeks earlier, four Americans on a hijacked yacht were killed by pirates under circumstances that are still unclear. Four U.S. Navy vessels were shadowing the captured boat at the time, and 15 pirate suspects were taken into custody after the gunfire. The owner of a Bangladeshi-flagged ship that was held for more than three months said that the vessel and 26 crew members were released Monday. Mehrul Kabir declined to say whether any ransom was paid for the release of the M.V. Jahan Moni, which was seized off the Indian coast while transporting nickel ore from Indonesia to Greece, but the media in Bangladesh reported the pirates were paid $4.2 million. "All the crew members on board are safe," Kabir told reporters in Dhaka. Ashok Sharma reported from New Delhi, India.
FROM TRADEWINDS TODAY:
HCI chops Beluga chartersHCI Capital has terminated 20 charter contracts tied to ailing German heavy-lift operator Beluga Shipping. A source at the Bremen-based issuing giant tells TradeWinds that five boxships and 15 multipurpose and heavy-lift units have been tossed in a pool managed by Hamburg’s Peter Dohle. The fleet, which is linked to 17 different KG (limited partnership) funds, will join 40 multi-purpose and heavy-lift vessels operated by a venture between HCI, Dohle, Hammonia Reederei and General Electric Finance Corp. The deal, which was sealed on Sunday, will guarantee the continuous operation of HCI ships at acceptable rates “regardless of the further developments within Beluga Group”, a house spokesman explained. HCI chairman Ralf Friedrichs applauded the resolution in a note to investors. He wrote:"Hammonia has on an outstanding network and technical and commercial expertise we need for the affected ship portfolio. We have all the necessary measures in place to transfer ship management to Hammonia and the transfer is on track.” It is not clear if the remaining owners of tonnage on charter to Beluga are planning to toss contracts on the chopping block but a banker familiar with the group’s financial overhaul says “many more terminations are likely forthcoming.” HCI’s role in the restructuring also remains a mystery. As TradeWinds has reported, the German firm had joined 55 single-vessel shipping entities in creating Charterships Beluga, which was tasked with representing owners in charter negotiations led by Beluga’s largest secured lender.
FROM THE SINGAPORE BUSINESS TIMES:
Container shipping the most affected by quake Port closures to cost Japan more than US$3.4b a day in lost seaborne trade (TOKYO) Japanese ports handling as much as 7 per cent of the country's industrial output sustained major damage from last week's earthquake, disrupting global supply chains and causing billions of dollars in losses, industry officials said. Japan has begun assessing the damage to port infrastructure, vital to receiving aid, commodities and goods for rebuilding areas devastated by the 8.9 magnitude quake and tsunami that are likely to have killed more than 10,000 people. The box shipping industry was seen as the most affected by the disaster as the destroyed ports handled containerised cargo for Hitachi Ltd, Daikin Industries and dozens of other companies. 'The short-term impact on economic activity could be greater than after the Kobe earthquake,' said Jiyun Konomi, Tokyo-based analyst with Nomura Securities, referring to the 1995 disaster which killed 6,000 people. 'Following the Kobe earthquake . . . activity did not return to pre-earthquake levels within three months for freight transportation.' Tokyo and all ports south of Japan's capital were operating normally after briefly shutting down operations following Friday's disaster, while the rest of the country's ports were being assessed for damage, a shipowner and port official said. 'Ports south of Tokyo are all operational, ports north of Tokyo are still under evaluation,' said a shipowner based in Tokyo. The closure of the ports was expected to cost Japan more than US$3.4 billion in lost seaborne trade each day, according to shipping trade publication Lloyd's List Intelligence. Maritime trade in the world's No 3 economy totalled US$1.5 trillion last year. The north-east coast ports of Hachinohe, Sendai, Ishinomaki and Onahama were so severely damaged by Friday's disaster that they were not expected to return to operation for months, if not years. The ports were medium-sized facilities that handled mostly containers, but also some fuel products and dry bulk goods. 'These ports will need a lot of time until they can be fully restored,' said Tetsuya Hasegawa, operation manager at Heisei Shipping Agencies in Tokyo. Japan's ninth-largest container port, Kashima, and the smaller port of Hitachinaka sustained milder damage and both could be back in operation within weeks, he said. The tsunami also destroyed dozens of vessels, including three of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha's panamax ships. The disaster was expected to delay oil shipments and cause major port congestion. 'Our channels indicate that crude currently en route to Japan will likely be discharged in India or elsewhere in Asia, with the refined products carried on to Japan once ports reopen,' said Michael Webber, analyst at Wells Fargo Securities. Low-sulfur crude shipments from Indonesia and Sudan may rise as Japan imports oil to burn in power plants after shutting nuclear reactors following the quake. Electricity producers turned to low-sulfur crudes to burn in generators as an alternative after Tokyo Electric Power Co shut the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, the world's largest at 8,200 megawatts, for 21 months after a 2007 earthquake. 'The loss of the power plant had a massive impact on Japanese demand for heavy-sweet Duri and lighter direct-burning grades such as Minas and Nile Blend,' JBC Energy consultants said in their weekly Asian report. The earthquake and tsunami last week may also lead to a 'prolonged' closure of nuclear reactors that will prompt more natural gas imports, according to analysts at Societe Generale. 'This tragedy could also lead to a setback for the world's nuclear renaissance (except perhaps in China), leaving gas as the fuel of 'no choice' in OECD countries, where voters might decide against the nuclear option,' Thierry Bros, a senior analyst at Paris-based Societe Generale, said in a note yesterday. Japan is the biggest user of liquefied natural gas. The nations may bid against each other for cargoes of LNG to meet heating and power demand. Grains shipments, however, were not yet affected following the quake. 'Of Japan's some dozen major ports where bulk carriers or tankers can dock, only two are damaged,' said Nobuyuki Chino, president of Unipac Grain. -- Reuters, Bloomberg Nigeria approves national shipping carrier (ABUJA, Nigeria) The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been given approval to establish a national carrier, a top government official has said. Minister of Transport Yusuf Suleiman told a news conference in Abuja last Friday that a national carrier would redress the problem of low indigenous participation in international shipping business. The minister said that the agency had contributed 13 billion naira (S$106.5 million) to the take-off of the cabotage Vessel Financing Fund and that modalities for the disbursement of the fund were being worked out. He said that the cabotage regime would facilitate more indigenous participation in shipping. Mr Suleiman said that the Cabotage Act was enacted to develop the local capacity and grow the indigenous shipping industry. He said that the fund would help to increase indigenous participation in the domestic water transportation services and to assist the growth of local ship building and repairs. Mr Suleiman said that the scheme would be under a public-private sector partnership. 'The modalities for the successful take-off of this scheme are being finalised with the constitution of an inter-agency committee, ' the minister told reporters. He said that 1,371 vessels had been registered by the Nigerian Ship Register Office with a gross registered tonnage of 1.9 million tones as at December last year. Mr Suleiman said that intervention projects like Maritime Policy Advisory Group and the Nigerian Maritime Data Bank were being implemented. The minister said the maritime data bank would serve the data needs of the maritime industry in West and Central Africa. The ministry had directed that more maritime academies be established under public-private sector partnership, he added. The minister expressed optimism that the seafarers training program of NIMASA would produce robust pool of Nigerian seafarers to serve domestic and international shipping services\. \-- Xinhua
OTHER LANGUAGES
FROM TRANSPORT ONLINE (NETHERLANDS):
Geschreven door redactie op 14.03.2011, 15:48
De International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), heeft Japan hulp aangeboden om de getroffenen van de aardbeving te helpen. De ITF vertegenwoordigt wereldwijd de werknemers in de sector transport en behartigt hun belangen door wereldwijde campagnes en solidariteit.
ITF-secretaris-generaal David Cockroft schreef de Japanse vakbonden dat zij hulp en medeleven aanbieden aan de getroffenen van de aardbeving en tsunami. Vandaag verklaarde hij: "Tijd en de uitstekende Japanse reddingswerkers, geholpen door internationale teams, hebben aangetoond dat de schade en het aantal doden is zelfs nog erger is dan eerst werd gevreesd." Hij vervolgt: "De mensen in Japan zijn goed voorbereid op dit soort gebeurtenissen, maar de enorme omvang van deze ramp kon men met geen voorbereiding voorkomen. Gelukkig is er grote moed getoond in het redden van levens, en misschien kunnen we een heel klein beetje trots op onszelf zijn dat het vervoeren van mensen na evacuatie uit treinen en vluchthavens goed geslaagd is. Het nieuws van onze leden in de zeehavens is waarschijnlijk grimmiger. "We zijn voortdurend in contact met onze medewerkers en leden in Japan, die doen hun best om het Japanse volk te ondersteunen, ondanks, vaak het verlies van hun werkplek, de infrastructuur en de Vakbondskantoren. Wij zullen als ITF tot hun beschikking staan en ze bijstaan waar we kunnen", besluit Cockroft. Vrachtwagen midden in schoolgebouw Het is in Japan momenteel nauwelijks mogelijk om overlevenden te zoeken. De tsunami heeft alles platgelegd. Reddingsteams treffen er vreemde taferelen aan. In Sendai hing een auto letterlijk in een boom. Een schoolgebouw bleef wel staan, maar binnen waren de meubels weggespoeld. Er stond zelfs een vrachtwagen midden in de hal van de school. De tsunami was maar liefst tien meter hoog in Sendai. "Toen ik wou vluchten, zag ik de tsunami al voor mij", zei een jonge man die alsnog wist te ontsnappen. "Ik probeerde te rijden, maar besloot uiteindelijk weg te rennen." Vandaag werd duidelijk dat veel mensen niet zoveel geluk hebben gehad. Het cijfer van enkele honderden doden werd bijgesteld. Duizenden kansloze mensen zijn vrijdag om het leven gekomen.
FROM FYENS STIFSTIDENDE (DENMARK):
***Salg af skib gav løn til søfolk
Fire søfolk fra Østeuropa, der i 2009 var efterladt på skib i Svendborg uden løn og mad, får nu udbetalt 355.000 kroner.
Det skib, søfolkene var ansat på, er blevet solgt. Salget sikrer også Svendborg Kommune 113.000 kroner i havneleje, skriver Nyhedsbrevet 3F. Søfolkene havnede i Svendborg, da deres rederi gik fallit. De fire måtte rejse uden løn for det arbejde, de havde udført i måneder på coasteren Lis Weber. I december blev skibet solgt på tvangsauktion. Det er søloven, der sikrer, at søfolk står forrest i køen efter penge, når det er nødvendigt at tage pant i et skib og sælge det på auktion. Men det kræver, at nogen træder til og hjælper. Det gjorde det internationale transportforbund ITF, der har sørget for advokat og faglig hjælp, skriver 3F’s nyhedsbrev. ITF måtte også i november sidste år tage arrest i skibet ”Lesse” i Odense Havn, og i Frederiksværk ligger skibet Cormorant fortsat og venter på, at en køber dukker op. Her har tre søfolk fra Rusland og Ghana mindst 200.000 kroner til gode, skriver Nyhedsbrevet. 
Søfolkene havnede i Svendborg, da deres rederi gik fallit. De fire måtte rejse uden løn for det arbejde, de havde udført i måneder på coasteren Lis Weber. I december blev skibet solgt på tvangsauktion.
Foto: Yilmaz Polat
TRANSLATION:
Sale of ship gave wages to seamen
Four sailors from Eastern Europe, which in 2009 was left on the ship in Svendborg without pay and food, now get paid 355,000 dollars. The ship, sailors were employed, has been sold. The sale also ensures Svendborg Kommune 113,000 dollars in port rental, writes the newsletter 3F. The sailors landed in Svendborg, when their company went bankrupt. The four had to go without pay for the work they had done in months coaster Lis Weber. In December, the vessel was sold at auction. Start the day with the key - Get the newsletter 6 recommend this article The Merchant Shipping Act is to ensure that seafarers are first in line for money when it is necessary to take a mortgage on a ship and sell it at auction. But it requires that someone steps in and helps. It made the international transport federation ITF, which has provided legal and technical help, writing 3F's newsletter. ITF also had in November last year to take the arrest of the ship "Lesse" in Odense Harbour, and is located in Fredericton ship Cormorant still waiting for a buyer shows up. Read also: Coaster in Svendborg on auction Here, three seamen from Russia and Ghana, at least 200,000 dollars for good, writes the newsletter. The sailors landed in Svendborg, when their company went bankrupt. The four had to go without pay for the work they had done in months coaster Lis Weber. In December, the vessel was sold at auction. Photo: Yilmaz Polat
FROM TV2 (DENMARK):
***Solgt slaveskib sikrer penge til søfolk
Såvel Svendborg Kommune som fire strandede søfolk har fået deres penge efter salget af strandet coaster.
I 2009 blev fire søfolk fra Litauen og Ukraine efterladt i Svendborg, da deres rederi gik fallit.
De fire måtte rejse uden løn for det arbejde, de havde udført i måneder på coasteren Lis Weber. I december blev skibet solgt på tvangsauktion. Og det giver nu 355.513 kroner til de fire mænd, skriver Nyhedsbrevet 3F. Salget af Lis Weber betyder, at der også blev penge til Svendborg Kommune. Den får 113.799 kroner i leje for kajplads. Det internationale transportforbund ITF har sørget for advokat og faglig hjælp. Og her er skibsinspektør Morten Bach glad for, at sagen er endt godt. - Men der lander ofte regulære slaveskibe i danske havne. Og desværre er der hverken hjælp fra Søfartsstyrelsen eller andre myndigheder, når søfolk bliver snydt eller budt uhyrlige vilkår, siger Morten Bach til Nyhedsbrevet 3F.
TRANSLATION:
Sold slave ship ensures money for seafarers
Both Svendborg Kommune as four stranded sailors got their money after the sale of stranded coaster. In 2009, four sailors from Lithuania and Ukraine left in Svendborg, when their company went bankrupt. The four had to go without pay for the work they had done in months coaster Lis Weber. In December, the vessel was sold at auction. And it now gives 355,513 dollars for the four men, writes the newsletter 3F. Sales of Lis Weber means that there was money to Svendborg Kommune. It gets 113,799 dollars in rent for the berth. The International Transport Federation ITF has provided counsel and technical assistance. And here's surveyor Morten Bach pleased that the matter has ended well. - But that lands often slave ships in Danish ports. And unfortunately there is no help from the Maritime Authority or other authorities, where sailors are being cheated or offered outrageous conditions, "said Morten Bach to newsletter 3F.
FROM Все новости Николаева на одном сайте (UKRAINE):
***Экипаж судна, которое стоит на рейде николаевского Морпорта, объявил забастовку из-за невыплаты зарплаты. ФОТО
Как стало известно «Преступности.НЕТ» из достоверных источников, в конце прошлой недели на судне STREAMLINE, которое находилось в Николаевском морском торговом порту, возникла конфликтная ситуация – экипаж судна отказался выполнять команды капитана.
Как удалось узнать «Преступности.НЕТ», судно пришвартовалось к причалу Николаевского морского торгового порта 9 марта для загрузки зерновыми культурами (пшеницей), а после загрузки должно направиться в Грузию.
Отметим, что судно STREAMLINE ходит под флагом Коморских островов. Как сообщает «Seafarersjournal», данное судно управляется украинской компанией через оффшорные схемы, как это обычно бывает в судоходстве после развала АМП и ЧМП. После того, как экипаж судна, который укомплектован моряками из Украины, России и Грузии, из-за задолженности по заработной платы, отказались продолжать работу по загрузке судна, представитель компании судовладельца написал заявление в Линейное отделение милиции в НМТП, сообщив о «бунте на корабле».
О реакции николаевских милиционеров «Преступности.НЕТ» говорить сложно, ведь ОСО УМВД Украины никакой официальной информации по данному факту не дает, и, похоже, давать не будет.
Несмотря на это, издание «Seafarersjournal», со ссылкой на собственные источники, сообщает:
«Когда судовладелец понял, что работать бесплатно на его судне больше никто не собирается, он попытался всеми правдами и неправдами выкинуть их на берег с помощью линейного отдела милиции. Поразительно, но как сообщил капитан милиции, к ним поступило заявление о захвате судна, однако не смог ответить на вопрос кто написал заявление и кем оно подписано. Делаем предположение, что это заявление называется "телефонное право", которое способно решить многие вопросы. Вместо того, чтобы разбираться, морякам настойчиво предлагали наши правоохранительные органы проехать в отделение милиции с вещами для дачи пояснений. Но возникает вопрос. А зачем вещи нужны и почему должны проехать именно те члены экипажа которым должны деньги, а не капитан. Оставим без комментариев. Мы полагаем, вы догадываетесь о бескорыстностных мотивах милиции. Вопрос. С каких пор наша милиция защищает права оффшорных компаний вместо того, чтобы отстаивать права Украинских моряков. И только после того, как сообщили капитану о возможных последствиях в виде жалоб на его действия в органы службы безопасности Украины как сразу все пошли на попятную и уже не было настойчивых предложений сойти с судна со стороны доблестной милиции.» Но вернемся к ситуации с забастовкой. Несмотря на то, что сами моряки, перед которыми имеется задолженность по зарплате, не обращались за помощью, на их защиту стала Международная федерация транспортников (ITF). Инспекоры этой организации поспешили на помощь морякам. После того как судовладелец понял, что моряки не остались без поддержки начал обрывать телефоны их представителям и предлагать возможные компромиссы для решения вопроса. После 3-х часов переговоров судовладелец дал команду капитану составить ведомость о задолженности по заработной плате.
В данный момент судно находится на рейде. Пока забастовка продолжается и закончится только тогда, когда моряки увидят свои деньги. Как прокомментировали «Преступности.НЕТ» в украинском представительстве Международной федерацией транспортников, действительно были проведены все необходимые переговоры и, якобы, судовладелец согласился с требованиями моряков и гарантировал выплату зарплаты в понедельник. По информации ITF, многим членам команды судна судовладелец задолжал деньги за 4 месяца работы.
TRANSLATION:
The crew of a ship which is on the raid Nikolaev sea port, went on strike due to unpaid wages.
PHOTOS
UNION/LABOUR RELATED MEDIA:
FROM THE MUA:
***Japanese dockworkers, seafarers hit hard by tsunami15 Mar 2011 3,300 vessels off Japan's east coast when the tsunami hit - 5 ships are grounded, 4 adrift, 17 crew missing to date. Countless dockworkers still missing - ITF President pledges support and solidarity to Japanese transport workers Now thousands more are suffering nuclear fallout and radiation exposure. "As always transport workers are at the forefront of maritime disaster," said International Transport Workers' Federation President and MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin.
Japanese Coast Guard were still searching for the Indonesian crew on the Japanese flagged Tuna fishing boat Kuni Maru No.3 missing since the tsunami hit the coast on Friday, Japanese unions report. Meanwhile unions have been unable to contact some port workers at Miyako and Shiogama Sendai terminals. In Miyako both the union and company rooms have been swept away and most of the seawall is under water. In Shiogama Sendai container terminal (see photo) phones and internet are still down, the wharves are annihilated and containers scattered around the yard. The union has been unable to confirm the safety of dockworkers. In Hitachi Hitachinaka dockworkers are reported to be safe, but the wharf was annihilated and cars for export on fire. Similarly in Kashima Port the union reports no lives loss, but the company headquarters was swept away and containers carried out to sea. The Japanese seafarers union, JSU and Zenkoku Kowan officers and staff and their immediate families are reportedly all safe. International Transport Workers Federation Inspectorate Coordinator for Japan, Shoji Yamashita is maintaining regular contact with the Japanese Coast Guard monitoring vessels that were affected by the tidal wave. He reports five ships grounded and four adrift. The Panama flagged general cargo vessel Victory was washed aground in the Port of Ishinomaki, the both the Panamanian MV China Steel Integrity general cargo vessel grounded and the Panamanian MV Asia Symphony grounded Kamaishi, the MV Shiramizu Japanese bulk ship grounded at Soma and the Panamanian flagged MV Shirouma, Panama grounded at Haramachi.
Thirty one crew were rescued from the Italian MV Sider Joy adrift at the Ishinomaki Dockyard, the Panamanian MV Golden Grace is adrift at Kashima, the Chinese container vessel MV Long Mu Wang (China Flag Container Vessel) is adrift at Kushiro and the Panamanian MV Coral Ring bulker collided with berth at Onahama.
In Sendai, the prefectural capital of Miyagi prefecture, over the weekend fires continued to burn at oil processing and cargo facilities which caught fire when the 9.0-magnitude tremor struck on Friday. And at sea Lloyds List reports an estimated 3,300 vessels were positioned off the east coast of Japan when the tsunami hit. In a letter to Zenakowan the All Japan Dockworkers Union and the All Japan Seamen's Union (JSU) Paddy Crumlin, MUA national secretary, ITF president and chair of the ITF dockers section pledged support on behalf of the worlds 4.7 million transport workers around the world. "The images in the newspaper of the devastation of Sendai port are shocking, as are those from surrounding areas," he wrote. As MUA National Secretary, Paddy Crumlin noted the recent generosity of Japanese dockworkers and their expression of sympathy and support for victims of the Queensland disaster. This, he said, underscores the values and strength of the international union movement particularly within the ITF. Now it is time for us to stand by Japanese working families in your time of need, he said. Anyone wishing to donate can do so through the MUA appeal account - It is important you put your name and "Japan" in the narrative.
Account Number for internal (CU users internal transfers) account number: 802-884 4626S3 - Japan Appeal Account number for external transfer (non credit union member) account number: 802-884 100 011 251 - Japan Appeal
***ITF To Hold High Level Talks On Assistance For Victims Of Japanese Tsunami14 Mar 2011 The President of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) today announced that he will hold high level talks to discuss ways to help victims of the tragic earthquake and subsequent tsunami which devastated parts of Japan in recent days.  ITF President Paddy Crumlin will meet with ITF General Secretary David Cockroft in London this week to discuss what can be done.
"I will be holding urgent meetings this week regarding ITF relief funding and other avenues of support to look at ways we can assist all transport workers, their families and others affected by this tragedy," Mr Crumlin said.
"I understand the magnitude of the huge task ahead to rebuild those parts of Japan which have been affected and these talks will be my highest priority.
"ITF members are understandably very concerned for the welfare of those affected by the disaster; the images of the devastation of Sendai port are both shocking and horrific, as are those from surrounding areas.
"On behalf of the ITF, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Japanese people following the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
"It was just last month that many Japanese ITF affiliates relayed their deep sympathy and support for the residents affected by the Queensland cyclone and flooding.
"The President of All Japan Dockworkers Union Mr Itoya and General Secretary Mr Watanabe pledged money to me personally in Tokyo for the appeal.
"The generosity and support of Japanese transport workers, dockworkers and seafarers and their expressions of sympathy and support for victims of the Queensland disaster underscores not only their strength of character but also the values of the international union movement.
"As unions representing transport workers we know all too well the dangers of our industries and this has been greatly compounded by this natural disaster.
"I would like to pass on our members' best wishes at this difficult time and our determination to find all avenues of meaningful support."
Download letter of solidarity below
FROM THE SIU:
***ITF comments on earthquake (3/15)
FROM THE SUR:
***15.03.2011 Япония: комментарий ITF
 Международная Федерация транспортных рабочих (ITF) в лице его главы Дэвида Кокрофта выразила соболезнования Японии и предложила помощь пострадавшим после землетрясения и цунами, произошедших 11 марта. В письме, направленном в адрес японских профсоюзов, говорится: «Мы уверены, что граждане Японии были хорошо подготовлены к подобным событиям, но размер катастрофы сокрушил все. К счастью, в этот тяжелый период люди проявили храбрость в спасении человеческих жизней, и мы испытываем гордость за работников транспорта, которые благополучно эвакуировали пассажиров из поездов и позаботились о тех, кто в момент землетрясения находился в аэропортах. Вероятно, из-за накрывшего Японию цунами, новости о наших коллегах в морских портах будут более мрачными». «Мы находимся в постоянной связи с нашими сотрудниками и членскими профсоюзами в Японии, которые прилагают все усилия, чтобы поддержать граждан этой страны, несмотря на то, что многие из них из-за разрушений инфраструктуры лишились офисов и привычных рабочих мест. Мы предлагаем помощь со своей стороны и просим наши членские профсоюзы во всем мире сделать то же самое», – говорится в письме. Напомним, одно из сильнейших землетрясений произошло у побережья префектуры Мияги в 373 километрах северо-восточнее Токио 11 марта. Магнитуда составила 8,9 баллов по шкале Рихтера. Вскоре произошло еще несколько мощных подземных толчков. Землетрясение вызвало сильное цунами, и в ряде районов высота волн превышала десять метров.
FROM THE SPH:
***Podrška Japanu
Međunarodna organizacija radnika u transportu (ITF) je ponudila pomoć sindikatima u Japanu, a kako stvari trenutno stoje za unesrećenu zemlju i njezine građane, ista će biti prijekopotrebna. David Cockroft, glavni tajnik napominje da ne postoje dovoljne pripreme za nesreće ovakvih veličina, pa čak ni u toj naprednoj državi, zbog čega su u stalnom kontaktu s partnerskim sindikatima u Japanu koji 24 sata stoje na raspolaganju građanima Japana. Nadamo se da će se tragični događaji koji su nažalost još uvijek u tijeku što prije smiriti i stanje staviti pod kontrolu. Sindikat pomoraca Hrvatske pozdravlja pomorce koji su preživjeli kalvariju za vrijeme tsunamija, ali i odaje počast svim žrtvama ovog katastrofalnog događaja.
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