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Seafarer groups to launch 'Hebei Two' support campaign

By Keith Wallis - Monday 24 November 2008

INTERNATIONAL seafarer groups are gearing up to launch a campaign in support of the master and chief engineer of the tanker Hebei Spirit, ahead of an appeal court decision on December 10. 

Details are still being agreed but they could include local demonstrations outside South Korean embassies, the submission of petitions and other low-key events. 

More proactive measures, including a possible boycott of South Korean products, are also possible, especially in India where the plight of the ‘Hebei Two’, master Jasprit Chawla and chief engineer Syam Chetan, has gained widespread public sympathy. 

Prosecutors have called for three-year jail terms for the two men, even though they were cleared at district court of all charges related to the collision between the tanker and a crane barge operated by Samsung Heavy Industries last December. The very large crude carrier was at anchor when it was hit by the barge, which was drifting in stormy conditions after partially breaking its tow. 

The men have been unable to leave Korea since the incident, a move which has been widely condemned by unions, trade groups, the Hebei Spirit’s owner and V.Ships, the vessel’s manager. 

A retrial has already taken place and South Korea’s high court is due to announce its judgement on December 10. 

The fate of Capt Chawla and Mr Syam, and possible action that could be taken in support, was discussed during an International Bargaining Forum meeting in Hong Kong last Friday. 

The forum, representing both unions and ship owners, largely agreed with a resolution from the International Transport Workers Federation supporting the two men. 

But union members also discussed further action that could be taken. 

ITF spokesman Sam Dawson told Lloyd’s List that details were still under consideration. 

Indian’s National Union of Seafarers general secretary Abdulgani Serang told Lloyd’s List the plight of the Hebei Two was expected to be raised at the International Maritime Organisation’s maritime safety committee meeting, which starts in London on Wednesday and continues until December 5. 

Mr Serang said: “In the coming days, a lot of activities are planned. It’s not just an Indian issue.” 

He said action was likely in Australia, Germany, Indonesia, the US and India along with events in other countries. 

“It may not be mass demonstrations. It may be just handing over letters of support,” he said. 

Commenting on proposals last week by the National Union of Seafarers and the Maritime Union of India for a possible boycott of Samsung and South Korean products, Mr Serang said: “Definitely it is there on the cards.” 

He said there had been a “very tremendous” response to the boycott call and other action, including proposals for Indian shipowners to cancel any orders at South Korean yards. 

But legal sources cautioned against events that could be seen as embarrassing or putting undue pressure on the South Korean judicial system. 

“Yes, there have been questions about the action of prosecutors, the use and content of a maritime safety tribunal report and perhaps undue influence of Samsung. But the three high court judges have been very fair,” said one legal insider. 

“They recognise the maritime report used by prosecutors was prepared by the Incheon branch of the Korean Maritime Safety Tribunal and could accept the investigation was faulty. They recognise that an accident investigation and report by the headquarters safety tribunal in Seoul could be more thorough. 

"They accept prosecutors suffered a significant loss of face when the Hebei Spirit master and chief engineer were cleared,” the source added. 

“But the appeal court judges do not want to be backed into a corner. They want to judge the appeal based on the law not because of international pressure,” he said. “They want to be able to free the men on the same basis.”