News / Anti-migrant stance puts shipping at risk with growing need to rescue migrants

MSF's Geo Barents Photo: Ton Westcott

New legislation, an anti-migrant Italian government and fewer NGO ships could lead to a rise in the number of cargo vessels having to help save migrants at sea.

New Italian legislation passed in early January requires captains to request a ’port of safety’ (PoS) immediately after a rescue ? preventing the multiple rescues NGO vessels often undertake on each journey ? with threats of hefty fines or vessels being impounded for non-compliance.

Within weeks of Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni taking power ...