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Hebei Spirit unites industry

The criminalisation of seafarers has become an increasingly vexed issue over the last few years. The most recent case, that of the Master and Chief Officer of the Hebei Spirit, has united companies and organisations across the industry in protest – with some success.

The tanker Hebei Spirit was at anchor in a Korean port when it was hit by a crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries that broke away from the tug that was towing it in heavy weather conditions. Notwithstanding the response of the tanker crew and the desperate attempts made to avert the incident, the drifting barge collided with the tanker, and 10,000 tonnes of oil were leaked. The Master and Chief Officer of the Hebei Spirit, both of Indian nationality, were retained in Korea to undergo trial on criminal responsibility charges (together with the owners and crew of the barge). A first judgment resulted in complete acquittal of the two seamen who were, however, forced to remain in Korea pending appeal. The Court of Appeal reversed the judgment and sentenced the two men to 18 and 12 months of jail respectively.

The case provoked serious concern across the entire shipping industry. In addition to shipmanagers V Ships, institutions including the Nautical Institute, Intertanko, Intercargo, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), joined in calling for the release of the two. In addition to an appeal lodged with the Human Rights Commission by V Ships, an internet campaign was begun to call for the release of the pair. A protest was organised to take place outside the Korean embassy. In the event, the pair were released on bail before the protest was due to take place. It was subsequently cancelled, as the organisers considered that this would “create a better environment for a successful resolution to this long running saga.”

However, Intertanko points out that, despite bail being granted, the case still has a long way to run. The two men are not allowed to leave Korea pending the final decision of the Supreme Court, which will be made in the next few months. “The task remains to ensure that the “Hebei Two” are exonerated from all blame and are allowed to return home,” said spokesman Bill Box.

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