Guinea Bissau and the owner of the Virginia G do not see eye to eye as to the reasons of the vessel's detainment. (Map: Stock File)

Shipowner denounces piracy cover-up in Guinea Bissau

SPAIN
Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 15:20 (GMT + 9)

The oil ship Virginia G, pertaining to the Spanish company Gebaspe SL, has been detained in Guinea Bissau since 21 August, accused of illegal fuel sale without authorisation.

After refusing to pay the fine imposed by local authorities, the ship was seized and Guinea Bissau has taken possession of the vessel and its haul.

Meanwhile, the propietary company of the oil tanker denounced the existence of a “network of extortion and piracy” in the African country, and contended the ship has all the valid permits to be able to supply fuel to the four fishing vessels of the Canary Islands.

In addition, it filed a motion before the courts of Guinea Bissau to suspend the order of unloading and seizure of the vessel.

The same day of the Virginia G, the Guinean authorities also detained four fishing vessels, among them three Spanish, which were released upon paying EUR 300,000.

Jose Antonio Gamez, shipowner of the oil tanker with 12 crew on board, denounced the existence of a “concealed piracy,” since the Virginia G was 60 miles off the coast of Guinea Bissau, in the denominated exclusive economic zone (EEZ), where the local government has competency only in matters of natural resources, not customs.

“They contacted us so that we pay up, but we do not submit to any type of bribe,” Gamez explained.

The shipowner also blamed the Spanish government of “doing absolutely nothing” and he did not hesitate in affirming that the seizure of his oil tanker is “an act of State terrorism,” EFE reports.

In direct communication with FIS.com, Gamez indicated: “The government of Guinea Bissau fails to fulfill several articles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the right of visit (that they carry out without previous warning, without identification and with the use of violence and firearms), and the penalty of deprivation of liberty (the crew’s passports were retained and they have been prevented from leaving the State).”

He added: “There are enough reasons for the Spanish government and the European Union (EU) to forcefully demand Guinea Bissau release all the boats they are retaining for supplying fuel in its EEZ and, alternatively, deposit a reasonable bond for the swift liberation of the ships.”

Gamez recalled that Guinean law defines related fishing as:

• The transfer of fish in Guinea Bissau marine waters;
• Fish transport;
• Logistical support activities for fishing vessels;
• Fish collection by artisanal fishers.

 The Guinean authorities shield themselves in the legislation in order to sanction the supply of fuel when assimilating it to logistical support, he said.

“It must be understood that they include logistical support in the definition of connected fishing in an effort to control all the possible operations, which goes against international legislation,” he explained.

“The international community should explain to the minister of Fisheries of Guinea Bissau that there is an International Convention - which the African country ratified – that must be fulfiled, and not to confuse illegal fishing with the legal activities of the use of the sea. In order to carry out a seizure, a procedure exists and not the use of force and intimidation as they have been doing,” Gamez concluded.

- Confederation questions Guinea-Bissau sanction

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com