15 January 2009
Hebei Spirit Two released on bail
News has been received from Korea early this morning that the ‘Hebei Two’, Captain Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan, have been bailed from jail, pending a final decision of the Supreme Court. Bail was set at $ 10,000 for each officer.
For the first time the treatment of the Hebei Two has brought together global union federation ITF, ship owners’ and managers’ associations INTERTANKO, Intercargo and InterManager, the International Maritime Employers’ Committee (IMEC) along with Indian Trade Unions, BIMCO and the International Group of P+I Clubs, to name but a few.
V.Ships’ Senior Management and all Trade Associations thank the Supreme Court in Seoul for this decision and the Korean Government, for the first positive steps in resolving this case.
In view of this morning’s announcement from Korea, all the Trade Associations and Unions involved in the planned action – V.Ships, the ITF, INTERTANKO, Intercargo and IMEC - have agreed to cancel the rally scheduled for January 23 in London. The participants believe that a postponement of the planned action will create a better environment for a successful resolution to this long running saga.
For more details please contact:
ITF
Sam Dawson, Press Officer
+44 20 7940 9260,
V.Ships
Pat Adamson, Chairman, MTI
+44 7836 766947 (mobile)
+44 20 7823 9444
IMEC
David Dearsley, Secretary General
+44 20 7416 8844
INTERCARGO
Rob Lomas, Secretary General
+44 20 7977 7036
INTERTANKO
Bill Box, Communications and PR Manager
+44 20 7977 7023
IMECThe International Maritime Employers' Committee (IMEC) is an employers’ organisation based in London. IMEC represents over 130 companies located all over the world that operate almost 7,500 ships and employ over 185,000 seafarers of all nationalities. The members are individual shipping companies, both owners and managers, large and small, operating all types of ships.
INTERCARGO (International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) has, since 1980, represented the interests of owners, operators and managers of dry cargo shipping and works closely with the other international associations to promote a safe, high quality, efficient and profitable industry.
INTERTANKO (International Association of Independent Tanker Owners) has been the voice of the independent tanker owners since 1970, representing today around 80% of the independent tanker fleet. It is a professional, efficient and respected association representing an industry dedicated to delivering a reliable, safe, responsible and competitive service transporting the liquid energy and chemicals that keep the world economy turning.
ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) represents transport workers around the world and promotes their interests through global campaigning and solidarity. One hundred and eighty six of its 650 member unions represent seafarers.
V SHIPS is the world’s largest ship manager, providing technical and crewing services to more than 1,000 ships from the largest oil tankers and containerships to speciality exploration vessels.