Owners must protect vessels from piracy

The complexities of the tragic and serious situation in Somalia continue to spill around the Horn of Africa with a steady escalation of danger to vessels as pirates increase their attacks on merchant ships.

The waters around the Horn include some of the busiest shipping routes in the world. It is estimated that around 20,000 ships transit these routes each year.

The latest vessel to be hijacked is reported to be a Ukrainian cargo ship with 21 crew on board. The vessel was apparently taken in Indian Ocean waters off eastern Somalia.

This latest incident is the third in that area in recent weeks and hints at a disturbing trend, although it could also indicate the effectiveness of the "security corridor" for the Gulf of Aden that was set up last month by the coalition forces, which causes a conscious shift in the pirates' area of activity.

There are also reports that the Ukrainian ship was carrying military equipment and this highlights the impact that such a hijacking is likely to have on shippers and insurers alike.

Valuable cargoes and, of course, the ransom potential of the crew are the primary objectives that motivate such acts of piracy.

Thus, it should be of utmost priority to the industry that self-imposed measures be put into place to provide effective deterrence.

Waiting for the United Nations, or the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to help out with coalition warships will not solve the problem.

As long as lawless turmoil remains in Somalia, shipping in the region will be threatened - let the UN be concerned with the land scenario and let the Industry and the IMO, with welcome support from coalition navies, be concerned with the situation at sea.

The emphasis being on the industry taking the lead, the IMO helps to show the way and naval support remains just that - support!

Ship operators must remember that the security for their ships and their cargoes starts with them, and complacency and lack of preparation on the part of the ship is one of the most likely causes for a successful hijack.

If that means engaging private consultants to advise and even provide onboard "security teams" to "ride" in the ships then that will be a small price to pay for additional protection that could mean the difference between deterrence and loss of the ship and the crew. Furthermore, the price for such a protective step should certainly be eased by reduced insurance premiums and marine insurers should make this fact clear.

Proper planning

Euan Air, General Manager in Dubai for Hart Security, a leading security provider with extensive Gulf of Aden anti-piracy experience, gives the following advice to ship operators faced with a voyage through a high risk area,

"Simple planning can help mitigate the risks, this can include reinforcement of self protection methods, updating and proper implementation of the ship security plan and crew training, an effective communications plan with all appropriate operational contacts and awareness by ships' crews of onboard defensive equipment that could be utilised [in a non-lethal way]."

He goes on to say that the demand from clients is growing for the provision of trained teams that give onboard support to ships' crews while areas of risk are being transited. "Such a presence enhances protection and establishes the highest level of security surveillance," he says, adding that since pirates rely on surprise, speed and violence, by removing the element of surprise their advantage is compromised.

A statement last week by the US Navy supports such measures. Vice-Admiral Bill Gortney, Flag Officer of the US Fifth Fleet, clearly put the onus of responsibility at the door of the shipping industry when he said that shipping companies must take measures to defend their vessels and crews - and he is 100 per cent right!

The writer is a Dubai-based marine consultant.