The root cause of the problem is yet to be adequately dealt with. Active UN intervention is required to combat the problem. The experts also said the authorities should review the United Nations Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS) and Suppression of Unlawful Act (SUA) of the International Maritime Organization.

Various issues related to piracy such as its economic causes, troubled waters of Somalia, modern piracy at sea, history of piracy, etc., were discussed by maritime professionals, teachers and students during the seminar.

Cusat vice-chancellor Ramachandran Thekkedath presided over the function. M P John, principal officer-in-charge, MMD, Kochi, inaugurated the seminar. Former chairman of Marmagoa Port Trust, Dr Jose Paul, was the chief guest.

Kochi: A national seminar on 'Piracy at Sea' was held at Kunjhali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology on Friday.

One of the common opinions evolved was that the root cause of the problem of piracy is yet to be adequately dealt with. Experts participating in the seminar opined that the international political will is lacking in tackling the issues, It is time that the United Nations Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS) and Suppression of Unlawful Act (SUA) of the International Maritime Organisation in the scenario of Anti-Piracy Act that to be reviewed and to combat with the problems UN intervention is actively required with the involvement of the member nations.

Cusat Vice-Chancellor Ramachandran Thekkedath presided and M P John, Principal Officer in-charge, MMD, Cochin inaugurated. Former Chairman of Marmagoa Port Trust, Dr. Jose Paul was the Chief Guest. Among those who spoke were K.A Simon and Sasikumar P V, general convenor. A. Ramachandran, Registrar, CUSAT felicitated and Prof. N. G. Nair proposed the vote of thanks.

The seminar touched on the different issues of piracy such as managing the risk of piracy, economic causes, troubled waters of Somalia, modern piracy at sea, history of piracy etc through the presentation of papers and video clippings by maritime professionals and teaching faculties and students. Eurotech Maritime Academy, Cochin, PSN College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu and many other maritime institutions actively participated.

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