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Limited effect for the Falklands of Argentina’s latest ban on Red Ensign vessels

Monday, August 13th 2012 - 22:21 UTC
Full article 30 comments
Falklands Marine Officer Captain Malcolm Jamieson Falklands Marine Officer Captain Malcolm Jamieson
The Islands have plans to expand its port facilities for the growing oil industry The Islands have plans to expand its port facilities for the growing oil industry

The Buenos Aires Province Senate on 2 August passed a law last week banning British flagged vessels associated with activities in Falkland Islands waters from calling at Argentina’s largest ports.

“This law is a tool in place to continue advancing step-by-step in the fight for sovereignty of natural resources in the Malvinas Islands” lawmaker Patricia Cubria said on support of the bill.

But, Falklands Marine Officer Captain Malcolm Jamieson speaking to Penguin News said banning some of the safest and cleanest ships in the world from ports, “flies in the face of international attempts at improving safety at sea, exposing the decision as largely irresponsible from a safety and pollution prevention point of view.”

Capt Jamieson said the Red Ensign was synonymous with maintaining standards and the Red Ensign “brand” was recognised within shipping circles as being one of the most trusted and respected flags to register a ship under.

“Ship owners are generally attracted to Red Ensign registries as any ship flying the ‘red duster’ is recognised as a well run and safe ship. This in turn facilitates trade internationally by a ship not being liable to be hindered or delayed by port state inspections or other related problems. Indeed, the UK fleet in particular is currently ranked fourth best in the world in terms of safety, pollution prevention and working and living conditions and currently amounts to around 1,500 ships” he told Penguin News.

“A ship owner does not normally have to be concerned with another country’s politics unless during periods of war, threats of terrorism or some other security issue. Therefore, a ship flying a Red Ensign that may go to Argentine ports is a concern to the ship owner who only wants his ship to travel freely without hindrance as per International Conventions as this is how he earns his money,” explained Capt Jamieson.

Some ship owners have side tracked this problem already by leaving the UK Registry and there is a risk that this may get worse, he added.

“Ironically, the Falklands should not be affected too much by this latest development. It remains to be seen if the latest ‘law’ passed by Argentina is enforced or indeed legally enforceable and who is going to be affected most in the long run,” said Capt Jamieson.

The first in a spate of Argentine government attempts to create problems for shipping related to the Falklands came about in 2010 with the issue of Presidential Decree 256/2010 that required, “authorisation” for vessels travelling to or from the Falklands and South Georgia.

The UK firmly rejected the legality of the Decree but this was followed in December 2011 with a decision by Mercosur to deny access to member ports for ships flying the “defaced” Red Ensign of the Falklands.

The UK response was made by the Foreign Secretary in January 2012 pointing out that this decision had no basis in international law and amounted to an economic blockade of the Falklands. (PN).-
 

Top Comments

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  • briton

    The British, thus, should ban all argentine ships from British ports,

    If indeed we had a British government with balls,

    Still, action speaks louder than words,
    Is this not true.??

    Aug 13th, 2012 - 10:48 pm 0
  • PirateLove

    why oh why are we contributing in development aid to the argtards when they clearly wish to blockade The falklands economy and its legal development, similar ploy is currently being undertaken with its other neighbours Uruguay. where is the common sense to deal with these blackmailing fuktards where it hurts, oh wait they have Empress c0ckh0are, the damage is already being done.

    Aug 13th, 2012 - 10:52 pm 0
  • Mrlayback

    never mind the British government having the balls ! I wish someone in Argentina would have the balls to stand up to the mad cow and say hey f**k off.... The mayor of BS.AS has the spirit to call her a liar but needs support from say ooh Moyano to stop most transport from working in the capital and then the people need to rally together and push her out of office !!!!

    just a thought !!

    Aug 13th, 2012 - 11:16 pm 0
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