EU forces in first mainland raid on Somali pirates
EU naval forces have conducted their first raid on pirate bases on the Somali mainland, saying they have destroyed several boats. The EU forces were transported by helicopter to the pirate bases near the port of Haradhere. Anti-piracy forces have been reluctant to attack mainland bases, fearing for the crew of captured ships. Somalia-based pirates have seized vessels across the Indian Ocean and demand huge ransoms for their release. They are believed to be holding about 17 ships and 300 crew. The latest incident involves the Greek-owned oil tanker Smyrni which was hijacked in the Arabian Sea last week. The Liberian-flagged tanker carrying 135,000 tonnes of oil is reported to be heading for Somalia. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the attack on the land base is a significant development in the fight against Somali piracy. The EU recently agreed to expand Operation Atalanta to allow forces to attack land targets as well as those at sea, and this is the first time its forces have used the new rules to attack a base on the mainland. The attack was carried out overnight and, according to the European forces, no Somalis were hurt during the action. The multinational forces used helicopters in conjunction with two warships to leave five of the pirates’ fast attack craft “inoperable”. The European naval mission issued a statement saying: “The focused, precise and proportionate action was conducted from the air and all forces returned safely to EU warships on completion”. A spokesman added that the operation was carried out with the full support of the Somali government after extensive surveillance, and the aim was to deny the pirates a save haven onshore. Military vessels from Nato countries, the US, China, Russia, Japan and India are also involved in patrolling an area of ocean which is about the same size as western Europe. Two decades of war in Somalia have left the country without a fully-functioning government making it hard to deal with piracy. The transitional government controls the capital Mogadishu, but al-Shabab militants hold many southern and central areas of the country.
Move to cut sulphur in ship fuel opposed
A proposal to reduce sulphur content in marine fuel in Indian waters is being opposed by shipowners who fear it will push up operational costs. They raised the matter on Monday at a meeting with the Directorate-General of Shipping (DGS). The revised MARPOL (Marine Pollution) Annexure VI rules, approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ask for limiting sulphur content of ship fuel from 4.5 per cent earlier to 3.5 percent to cut emission of toxic oxides of sulphur from ships, to reduce air pollution. These rules came into effect on January 1 this year and apply globally to all nations that have ratified the MARPOL, including India. “This rule is followed by Indian ships when they are in foreign waters but is not mandatory for Indian ships in Indian waters,” said DGS official Amitava Banerjee. Monday’s meeting, which had officials of the MoEF and shipowners present, was to chalk out a roadmap to decide what will be the sulphur content of fuels used by Indian ships in Indian waters. “The IMO had in January come out with certain restrictions with respect to sulphur content in ship fuel. However, Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) and Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association feel that imposing the same norms on them is harsh. Prima facie we feel no need for two different yardsticks for foreign and Indian ships and feel that sulphur content needs to be reduced. But we will consider with an open mind the plea of shipowners who feel this will put them under financial pressure,” said Director General, Shipping, Satish Agnihotri. Shipowners contend that reducing sulphur content will have a cost implication as cheaper fuel means higher sulphur content. Shipowners also feel that it needs to be determined if the amount of SOx (oxides of sulphur) emission from Indian ships is signficant enough to warrant a reduction. “We will convene a meeting with experts to take their views on conducting a study on the extent of SO2 (sulphur dioxide) emmissions from Indian ships along the Indian coast. There will be representation from both INSA and the Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association in the matter,” said Banerjee.
The forthcoming European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) must continue to support Scotland’s most vulnerable fishing and rural communities Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said ahead of a crucial Council in Brussels. Mr Lochhead highlighted that negotiations at the European Union (EU) Council this week on the forthcoming EMFF are absolutely vital to protecting and enhancing Scotland’s rural economy and called on the UK Government to fight to ensure this crucial support is retained. From 2000 until the end of the current European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in 2013, the existing equivalent scheme will have delivered around £100 million for Scotland’s coastal communities – which including additional Scottish Government support has delivered grants worth £186 million. Ongoing negotiations for a new EMFF open the door for a change in focus – that could divert scarce funding away from Scottish rural communities. Speaking ahead of EU Fisheries Council on today, Monday May 14, Mr Lochhead said: “The existing EFF provides crucial support for Scotland’s rural communities – with £186 million since 2000, when match funding by the Scottish Government is included. This underpins economic development and growth for a diverse range of fisheries, aquaculture and processing businesses, and the fragile coastal communities who rely on these industries. “Currently – in the context of the wider Multi Annual Financial Framework negotiations – the UK Government does not support protecting the EMFF budget, and I think that is misguided. “The current negotiations on the new EMFF, led by the UK Government, must fully support a reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and be in line with EU 2020 objectives for sea fisheries, aquaculture and the wider marine environment. It is imperative for Scotland that in next week’s negotiations the UK Government fight to secure this future funding for our vulnerable rural communities. “The negotiations provide clear opportunities for continued restructuring of the Fund, so we can ensure greater environmental sustainability in the sea fisheries, aquaculture and the processing sectors. That’s why I am pressing the case for EU funding to deliver maximum impact for key Scottish sectors and to protect some of our country’s most vulnerable communities. “At a time of severe pressure on public finances we must ensure EMFF negotiations are focused on delivering a budget that offers real added value and is focused on the areas that will provide sustainable economic growth.”