Make
tanker lanes into no-go areas for other shipping says IMB
 |
| The Limburg, victim
of terrorism. How can the threat be reduced? |
London,
14 October 2002 - ICC's International Maritime Bureau today appealed to
governments and port authorities to declare approach channels for tankers "no-go"
areas for unauthorized craft and to enforce the ban by intensifying naval and
police patrols.
"All pleasure craft,
fishing boats and other vessels should be barred from the lanes tankers and
other vulnerable vessels use in approaching terminals. Where possible, we would
like to see the ban extended to areas on e
ither side of these channels,"
said IMB Director Captain Pottengal Mukundan.
The IMB Director added:
"Patrols should be intensified and naval and police units should immediately
board and investigate any unauthorized vessels caught loitering in the no-go
areas. The responsibility for security of water ways must remain with the governments
concerned."
The appeal came amid mounting
evidence that the blast that ripped through a French tanker, the Limburg, earlier
this month in the Gulf of Aden was a terrorist attack. The Limburg is thought
to have been rammed by a small boat noticed by crew members shortly before the
explosion. Captain Mukundan noted that no shipboard response could counter that
kind of attack.
IMB is also advising ships
calling at Middle Eastern, Pakistani and Indonesian ports to take advice from
local shipping agents and owners about the degree of risk involved.
The identity of the attackers
of the Limburg is still unknown. The tanker was carrying 400,000 barrels of
crude oil when the blast ignited a fire on board, killing one crew member and
spilling 90,000 barrels of oil into the sea.
On Friday, French Defence
Minister Michele Alliot-Marie announced that parts of a small boat and traces
of TNT were found inside the tanker.
For further information, please contact the Click here to send a mail in London on +44 208 591 3000.
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