THE International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) says it is increasingly concerned about the Italian government's new policy to close its ports to migrants rescued by ships at sea.
In the interest of protecting safety of life at sea, ICS is urging all European Union leaders to urgently address the concerns so that the policy of prompt and predictable disembarkation - consistent with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) principles - can be fully maintained.
Having previously refused access to vessels operated by humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it is now understood that commercial ships, which have been requested by the Italian Rescue Co-ordination Centre to pick up people in distress, have also been refused permission by the Italian government to disembark these rescued people in Italy.
'If correct, this refusal by Italy to allow prompt and predicable disembarkation from merchant ships, which are complying with their obligations under maritime law, could have serious humanitarian consequences for the safety and welfare of hundreds if not thousands of distressed people' said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe.
'If the policy is extended this would also have significant implications for the movement of trade throughout the Mediterranean. But the industry's immediate concern is humanitarian and for the welfare and dignity of those people that have been rescued and their need to receive proper medical assistance ashore,' he added.
In the interest of protecting safety of life at sea, ICS is urging all European Union leaders to urgently address the concerns so that the policy of prompt and predictable disembarkation - consistent with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) principles - can be fully maintained.
Having previously refused access to vessels operated by humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it is now understood that commercial ships, which have been requested by the Italian Rescue Co-ordination Centre to pick up people in distress, have also been refused permission by the Italian government to disembark these rescued people in Italy.
'If correct, this refusal by Italy to allow prompt and predicable disembarkation from merchant ships, which are complying with their obligations under maritime law, could have serious humanitarian consequences for the safety and welfare of hundreds if not thousands of distressed people' said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe.
'If the policy is extended this would also have significant implications for the movement of trade throughout the Mediterranean. But the industry's immediate concern is humanitarian and for the welfare and dignity of those people that have been rescued and their need to receive proper medical assistance ashore,' he added.