Seafarers sailing near Somalia to get double pay

David Osler - Tuesday 7 October 2008

MANY seafarers are to get double pay while sailing close to Somalia, in recognition of the danger of pirate attack, after a breakthrough deal between leading shipowners and maritime trade unions signed in Singapore today.

Under the terms of the understanding agreed by a subcommittee of the International Bargaining Forum, the bipartite body which sets pay and conditions for many seafarers, most of the Gulf of Aden had been declared a ‘high risk area’ with immediate effect.

The memorandum provides that seafarers on ships covered by IBF agreements - the industry standard contract - will receive a bonus equal to 100% of their basic wage while the vessel is in transit. Normal rates of death and disability compensation for seafarers will in addition be doubled during this period.

The meeting also welcomed the establishment of the Maritime Security Patrol Area, a corridor patrolled by the navies and airforces of the US and its allies, in a bid to secure safe passage in the face of the growing scourge.

Both sides accordingly agreed that seafarers on ships that use the MPSA should continue to be expected to serve on their vessels during transits. However, seafarers serving on ships that chose not to use the MPSA will get the right to refuse to make the transit, and will be repatriated at shipowner expense.

The seafarer interest was represented by the International Transport Workers’ Federation. Spokesman Brian Orrell, secretary of the Nautilus UK officers’ union, said: “We have been very seriously concerned about the reports from the Gulf. The pirate attacks seem to be escalating and covering a wider area of the Gulf.

“This agreement is breaking new ground in recognising that seafarers face serious risks at sea besides just the possibility of being asked to sail into an area where wars are in progress. This is a major step forward.”

A spokesman for the employers group added: “We are pleased that the efforts being made to improve security in the Gulf by providing patrols by armed naval vessels seem to be helping the situation and we urge those responsible to increase the number of ships in the area and to strengthen the rules of engagement.

“We appreciate that the IBF has not designated a “high risk area” before, but the special factors in this situation justify this measure.”

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