Launch of EUNAVFOR Med “strongly welcomed” by BIMCO

Overview

The decision of the EU Council to launch EUNAVFOR Med was today strongly welcomed by BIMCO, following the association’s statement on 24 April calling for an extension of Operation Triton’s geographical reach.

The decision of the EU Council to launch EUNAVFOR Med was today strongly welcomed by BIMCO, following the association’s statement on 24 April calling for an extension of Operation Triton’s geographical reach.

BIMCO’s April statement highlighted the risks to the health, safety and security of seafarers who assist distressed migrants in increasingly large numbers – and that merchant shipping is not equipped to handle the humanitarian crisis at sea caused by the levels of migration in the Mediterranean.

Giles Noakes, Chief Officer for Maritime Security at BIMCO, said:   

“It is reassuring to see the efforts of EU leaders continuing to address this crisis – and now beyond the search and rescue mission of Operation Triton – to help deal with the people smugglers and the business model that is building the humanitarian crisis of distressed migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. 

“We understand that this is – legally and ethically – a complex issue for the UN and the EU to address, but it must be addressed for the sake of the refugees and the safety and security of seafarers and ships.

 “Migration is a long term problem for nations to solve”. 

“But a fundamental aim right now must be to destroy the business model of people-smugglers. 

“The stated intention of EUNAVFOR Med to search, seize and disrupt the assets of people-smugglers – in partnership with Libyan authorities – is crucial to that aim and we welcome this announcement and future efforts on this.”

Ends

For more details, please contact Gemma Wilkie, Communications Director at BIMCO on: (Direct) +45 4436 6836, (Mobile) +45 2442 9781 or gw@bimco.org.

Notes to Editors

  • BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association, with 2,300 members in around 130 countries.
  • Our members represent around 2/3 of the world’s commercial fleet.
  • We provide a wide range of services to our global membership – which includes shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents. 
  • BIMCO’s core objective is to facilitate the commercial operations of our members by developing standard contracts and clauses, and providing quality information, advice and education. 
  • BIMCO promotes fair business practices, free trade and open access to markets and we are a strong advocate for the harmonisation and standardisation of all shipping related activity.
  • BIMCO actively promotes the application of globally agreed regulatory instruments – we are accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with all relevant United Nations agencies and other regulatory entities.
Gemma Wilkie
By Gemma Wilkie
in Copenhagen, DK

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