ITF create website for Hebei Two

In support of the Master and C/O of the Hebei Spirit who have now been unable to leave South Korea for 12 months on December 7, the ITF have launched a dedicated web area: www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/hebeitwo.cfm to help the many unions looking for ways to help their fellow seafarers.


Although primarily intended to assist ITF unions as part of the wider campaign to back the two men, it is also very useful as a resource for, for example, contact details of Korean embassies etc., and detailed background on the incident itself.


The webpage calls for solidarity among the ITF’s 656 union members – in order to help secure the release of Hebei spirit officers



Captain Jasprit Chawla (right) and Chief Officer Syam Chetan (left).

The ITF is calling on affiliated unions to highlight the plight of two innocent officers, members of ITF Indian seafaring affiliate, who are detained in South Korea following an oil spill from their ship last year.

The ITF page says:
How you can help !

We are calling on ITF unions to draw the Korean authorities’ attention to the men’s case as soon as possible and before 9 December, the day before the judgement is handed down:

- Making appointments with Korean embassies and diplomatic representatives to meet, express concerns and present the model letter.

→ View your nearest South Korean embassy here
→ Download and view the model letter here

- Speaking informally to any Korean shipping or industrial contacts the union has, at the highest possible level, to express concern at these events

They are also calling on member unions to advise their planned activities in order for the ITF to help keep everyone aware (including the media) of such planned activities.