Intertanko, an organization which represents the tanker industry, has called for renewed efforts by governments to bring pirates to justice and prevent them from being released after their capture.
The industry group expressed frustration with the expanded zone of pirate activity further into the Indian Ocean, and said governments need to increase their legal authority to arrest, detain and prosecute pirates for violating international law. It also asked for increased naval protection of sea lanes in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and for less restrictive rules of engagement so that naval forces can stop more pirate threats to commercial shipping.
Meanwhile, Intertanko joined with seafarer unions, insurers and other ship owners' associations to create a global electronic petition demanding governments commit necessary resources to stop piracy originating in Somalia.
