"INTERTANKO and its members abhor the rapidly escalating piracy situation off the coasts of Somalia and are extremely concerned for the safety of all seafarers and for the ability to deliver cargo safely," the tanker owners association said in a statement.
Following a meeting this week of its governing Council, INTERTANKO is fully supportive of the many tanker operators who have declared their intention to avoid the area off Somalia's coasts and in the Gulf of Aden, and to sail instead via the Cape of Good Hope and East of Madagascar.
"We need immediate action from governments to protect these vital trade lanes - robust action in the form of greater naval and military support with a clear mandate to engage, to arrest pirates and to bring them to trial," the organization said. As well as tankers, container giant Maersk is looking to eschew the Suez Canal in favour of lengthy Cape detours while the piracy situation in the Gulf of Aden remains troubled.
Following a meeting this week of its governing Council, INTERTANKO is fully supportive of the many tanker operators who have declared their intention to avoid the area off Somalia's coasts and in the Gulf of Aden, and to sail instead via the Cape of Good Hope and East of Madagascar.
"We need immediate action from governments to protect these vital trade lanes - robust action in the form of greater naval and military support with a clear mandate to engage, to arrest pirates and to bring them to trial," the organization said. As well as tankers, container giant Maersk is looking to eschew the Suez Canal in favour of lengthy Cape detours while the piracy situation in the Gulf of Aden remains troubled.