Government authorities are worried about piracy and violence on the high seas, and sought UN help to aid the maritime business.
The Directorate General of Shipping and other stakeholders of merchant navy have asked the UN and other international maritime organisations to enact tough legislations to curb the menace of piracy in Gulf of Aden where over 100 merchant vessels have been hijacked in past six months.
Despite the presence of Indian navy and navies of several other nations, there is no stopping of the Somali pirates who are continuing with their hijacking acts by taking advantages of the existing legal loopholes. This is creating a sense of insecurity among Indian seafarers who constitute 6 per cent of the global merchant navy manpower.
“Piracy is the biggest issue concerning the global maritime trade. India has done its bit, but now the international community should unite and bring changes in the existing maritime laws to curb piracy,” said Laxmi Venkatachalam, Director General of Shipping at a press meet to announce the 46th National Maritime Day on April 5.
Officials said Somali pirates were taking advantage of the absence of a government in that country because as per law, the captures pirates should be tried at the coastal state (in this case Somalia).