Although piracy decreased in 2012, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) feels there is no room for complacency: 'Any reduction in the level of protection of merchant ships could lead to a resurgence of pirate activities. Piracy must continue to be suppressed through the visible presence of and robust action by the world’s navies, consistent with international law.'
Decrease in Piracy
The IMO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (Ocimf), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko), the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo), the International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA), and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) welcome the recent decrease in the number of attempted and successful attacks against ships by Somalia-based pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean. This decrease may be attributed to a combination of factors, including:
- the presence of naval forces disrupting pirate operations;
- implementation of self-protection measures on board merchant ships and better situational awareness of where the threats are;
- more effective action ashore in Somalia by the Somali authorities and the international community.
Effective Government and Rule of Law
The above-mentioned organisations remain convinced that the only long-term solution to piracy is to establish effective government and implement the rule of law ashore in Somalia. However, until that is achieved, there can be no room for complacency.
Protection to Be Continued
The organisations therefore urge shipowners, shipping companies, ship operators, masters and crews to continue to take all appropriate and recommended measures to protect their ships and those onboard from pirates and armed robbers, through sustained and full implementation of the relevant IMO guidance and industry-developed Best Management Practices for protection against Somalia-based piracy (BMP 4).
Picture: A visit, board, search and seizure team from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) approaches a suspected pirate vessel after the Motor Vessel Nordic Apollo reported being under attack and fired upon by pirates. Pinckney is assigned to Combined Task Force 151, a multinational, mission-based task force working under Combined Maritime Forces to conduct counter-piracy operations in the Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean (U.S. Navy photo/Released).
