A strong statement in support of the Hebei Spirit officers being held in Korea was made yesterday by the Round Table of international shipping associations, the ITF, the International Group of P&I Clubs and the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association.
The statement issues a vigorous joint protest at the continuing unjust and unreasonable detention of two merchant ships' officers from the tanker Hebei Spirit , who were recently acquitted by a South Korean court as being innocent of all charges of violating the nation's ocean pollution law following last year's oil spill when a floating crane collided with the Hebei Spirit. "We - the Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Shipping Federation (ISF), INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO), the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG), and the Hong Kong Shipowners' Association - wish to convey to the government and authorities of the Republic of Korea our surprise, disappointment and great concern at the news that Korea's courts have determined to continue to detain the ship's officers, despite their acquittal, for possibly as long a year pending further hearings. Such measures appear to be unjustified, unreasonable and in contravention of the men's rights. We strongly believe that they should be permitted to leave the country," the group said in a statement. "We appeal to the Government of the Republic of Korea to take the necessary action to ensure that the seafarers are immediately permitted to return to their homes," the group concluded.
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