Friday Focus -- Piracy

Piracy off the Somali coast has been a threat to international shipping since the turn of the century, with the risk of attacks in the region rated “high” in the first quarter of 2010.

Continuing counter-piracy efforts by operations such as Nato’s Ocean Shield, were significant factors in a 34% year-on-year decline in global attacks during the first three months of the year.

However, Somali pirates are continuing to extend their reach, to include the coasts of Kenya, Tanzania, the Seychelles, Madagascar and Oman.

What needs to be done?

According to Nato, a significant number of commercial vessels are failing to implement effective anti-piracy measures while transiting through the Gulf of Aden and the coast of Somalia.

There can be a number of reasons why some ships are not implementing these measures. These include unawareness of protection measures that are readily available, and general unwillingness to co-operate. Whatever the reason, there is a clear need for shipping companies to adopt counter-piracy measures to ensure the safety of its seafarers and cargo.

The Council of Europe has taken a strong stance against the problem and is now calling on governments to regulate the hiring of private security firms by shipping companies.

“In recent years, piracy has reached unprecedented importance and has become nearly endemic in some stretches of sea, seriously threatening the security of commercial shipping and the safety of crews and passengers,” saysa report of a recent session of the body’s Parliamentary Assembly.

“A comprehensive approach is needed to address instability, lack of governance and poverty in Somalia and other countries which generate piracy, as well as to ensure effective prosecution of pirate suspects, in compliance with human rights standards.”

The Council of Europe asked Nato and EU member states concerned to renew and strengthen their anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.

A group of pirates is arrested by security forces. Click on image to enlarge

In the 12 months to March this year, there were 88 attacks in the Gulf of Aden. However, 46% were defeated by merchant vessels’ own defensive measures and 25% by intervention by naval forces. The pirates’ success rate was around 20%.

In response to the high number of attacks, a coalition of organisations – including IFW – has united to back a global e-petition demanding governments act swiftly to end piracy.

Piracy: Enough Is Enough is campaigning to persuade governments to commit the resources necessary to end the increasing problem of piracy though the website, www.endpiracypetition.org.

John Bainbridge, of International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) seafarers’ department, said: “In recent years we have seen an upsurge in piracy, particularly with attacks originating from the coastal regions of Somalia. In 2008, for example, almost 100 ships were attacked and more than 500 seafarers taken hostage.

“By 2009, the number of ships attacked increased to 217, with 47 vessels and 867 crew taken hostage. This is a growing problem that needs to be tackled urgently.”

Speaking on behalf of all the signatory associations, International Shipping Federation ( ISF) President Spyros Polemis explained: “Together we must encourage all governments to do everything necessary to protect the lives of seafarers who are subject to increasingly violent attacks, with over 1,800 kidnapped in the last two years alone.”

Backers include IFW, Bimco, the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations, the International Maritime Employers’ Committee, International Parcel Tankers Association, Intercargo, InterManager, the International Group of P&I Clubs, Intertanko, the ISF, ITF, International Union of Marine Insurance and the Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators, as well as national shipowners’ associations and trades unions worldwide.