International Chamber of Commerce2003-04-16 15:05:22
Pirate gang terrorising ships off Indonesia
Indonesia's waters continue to be the world's most dangerous for ships
Kuala Lumpur, 2 April 2003 - The International Maritime Bureau has called upon the Indonesian government to take action against a gang of pirates who have this week been attacking and hijacking ships in the Gaspar Straits, east of Java.
The IMB reports there have been six attacks on vessels in the past six days.
In one attack, the master and chief officer were severely beaten before being robbed. In another, aboard a chemical tanker, the bridge crew were tied up for the duration of the attack.
Vessels attacked include bulk carriers, container vessels and a chemical tanker.
The IMB, via its Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Reporting Centre, has called upon the Indonesian authorities to take action against the pirate gang, and secure the shipping lanes in the Gaspar Straits (also known as the Gelasa Straits) off Java.
The approximate position of these attacks is 02-56S, 107-17E.
The IMB is the maritime crime-prevention division of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (www.iccwbo.org).
According to the IMB's 2002 Annual Piracy Report, Indonesia's waters continue to be the world's most dangerous for ships.
The IMB says that many ports and islands off the coast in Indonesia are frequented by these pirate gangs who appear to board ships with impunity.
"We have passed all the information to the to the Indonesian authorities, it is now essential that they act on it," said Captain Pottengal Mukundan, IMB Director. "They must detain these criminals and follow through with prosecution and sentences which deter copycat crimes by other pirates."
Captain Mukundan said that few gangs of pirates have been caught in Indonesia but for those who have been caught, the sentences have been minimal.
For further information, or to arrange an interview with Captain Mukundan, please call the IMB in London on +44 208 591 3000.
Indonesia's waters continue to be the world's most dangerous for ships
Kuala Lumpur, 2 April 2003 - The International Maritime Bureau has called upon the Indonesian government to take action against a gang of pirates who have this week been attacking and hijacking ships in the Gaspar Straits, east of Java.
The IMB reports there have been six attacks on vessels in the past six days.
In one attack, the master and chief officer were severely beaten before being robbed. In another, aboard a chemical tanker, the bridge crew were tied up for the duration of the attack.
Vessels attacked include bulk carriers, container vessels and a chemical tanker.
The IMB, via its Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Reporting Centre, has called upon the Indonesian authorities to take action against the pirate gang, and secure the shipping lanes in the Gaspar Straits (also known as the Gelasa Straits) off Java.
The approximate position of these attacks is 02-56S, 107-17E.
The IMB is the maritime crime-prevention division of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (www.iccwbo.org).
According to the IMB's 2002 Annual Piracy Report, Indonesia's waters continue to be the world's most dangerous for ships.
The IMB says that many ports and islands off the coast in Indonesia are frequented by these pirate gangs who appear to board ships with impunity.
"We have passed all the information to the to the Indonesian authorities, it is now essential that they act on it," said Captain Pottengal Mukundan, IMB Director. "They must detain these criminals and follow through with prosecution and sentences which deter copycat crimes by other pirates."
Captain Mukundan said that few gangs of pirates have been caught in Indonesia but for those who have been caught, the sentences have been minimal.
For further information, or to arrange an interview with Captain Mukundan, please call the IMB in London on +44 208 591 3000.
For more information contact:
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75008 PARIS
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Tel: +33 1 49 53 28 28
Fax: +33 1 49 53 28 59