At the invitation of IMO, a meeting has taken place involving the heads of the four shipping industry bodies known as the Round Table (BIMCO, ICS/ISF, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The meeting explored common approaches, to address the increasingly serious piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia.
Focus in particular is the Gulf of Aden – a strategic corridor leading to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, which represents a key conduit for almost 12% of the world’s crude oil, not to mention other energy, container and general bulk traffic.
Ferocious Attacks
The situation has recently deteriorated alarmingly – both in the number of attacks, hijackings and hostage takings off Somalia, and the ferocity with which they are carried out. In the light of some thirteen vessels and over 200 seafarers reportedly now in the hands of pirates, the meeting, which took place at IMO Headquarters, identified a number of key issues to alleviate the situation and strengthen the safeguarding of shipping in the region.
The meeting called for
– Sustained coordination between all naval forces operating in the area;
– Clear rules of engagement to enable military assets to intervene effectively;
– An extension, for an adequate duration, of the mandate given in United Nations Security Council resolution 1816 (2008) enabling States cooperating with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to enter the country’s territorial waters and use all necessary means in order to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, consistent with relevant international law. That mandate is due to expire on 1 December 2008, six months after the adoption of the resolution on 2 June 2008.
The meeting agreed on a number of specific measures to be taken by the IMO Secretary-General and the participating organizations, individually and collectively, to mobilize support and action from all sides in a position to assist.
Urgent Measures
The meeting further agreed that the need for any such measures was becoming increasingly urgent because of the immediate human concerns for the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and passengers who are currently being held hostage or may be caught up in future attacks; the continuing impact of the situation on the viability of transporting much-needed humanitarian assistance to Somalia; and its potential and significant detrimental effect on the world’s commerce.
Increase in Costs
The current situation off Somalia might cause ship operators to avoid transiting through the Gulf of Aden, using the Cape of Good Hope instead. This would lead to increased shipping costs and possible negative consequences for global trade. In the final analysis, the consumer will be confronted with this – at a time when all nations are trying to address the current global financial crisis.
UN Support
In this respect, the meeting was encouraged by the UN Security Council’s adoption, on 7 October 2008, of resolution 1838 (2008), which calls upon states interested in the security of maritime activities to deploy naval vessels and military aircraft to actively fight piracy off the coast of Somalia and expresses the Council’s intention to remain seized of the matter with a view, in particular, to renewing the mandate granted in its earlier resolution 1816.
Source: https://www.imo.org[IMO]
