InterManager, the international trade association for in-house and third party ship managers, has expressed concern at initial reports emerging from Korea which indicate that the Korean Supreme Court has not exonerated the Master and Chief Engineer of the Hebei Spirit.
Guy Morel, General Secretary of InterManager, has expressed concern at news that the pair may continue to be held in Korea. “Enough is enough! These two dedicated seafarers have been held for more than 500 days and should be allowed home to their families,” an angry Mr Morel said. “They have behaved professionally throughout this sorry affair.”
Early indications are that the Supreme Court appears to be unwilling to reverse the Appeal Court’s guilty ruling on pollution charges even though the Primary Court judged them to be innocent. Other charges look set to once again to be referred to an appeal court. It is not yet clear whether the seafarers must remain in Korea pending this further appeal.
Mr Morel said InterManager, whose members represent a worldwide fleet of some 3,000 vessels and more than 100,000 crew, is analysing the judgement before considering what further action should be taken. Considerations include demonstrations and boycotts as the whole of the shipping industry rallies behind the two seafarers.
InterManager believes the plight of the Hebei Spirit officers has had a detrimental effect on recruitment at a time when seafarers are in short supply. “It is difficult to encourage young people to take up a career in shipping when they see that experienced and innocent crew can be unfairly criminalised,” said Mr Morel.
The 1993-built Hebei Spirit was at anchor waiting for a berth when a crane barge broke its tow in stormy weather and smashed into her side, holing three cargo tanks. About 10,500 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea, causing Korea’s largest ever oil spill. Two South Korean tug masters were jailed for their part in the incident but the two Hebei Spirit officers, Indian nationals Capt Jasprit Chawla and Mr Syam Chetan, were cleared of all charges last June. However, they were subsequently jailed after a retrial returned a guilty verdict. Following international outcry at the inhuman conditions the men faced in jail they were released in January but ordered to remain in Korea pending the Supreme Court ruling.