Area considered piracy hot spot is extended by the UK

NAUTILUS International, which represents 23,000 maritime professionals, and UK ship owners has reached an agreement to extend the area deemed at "high risk" of piracy attacks to include the Indian Ocean, joining the Gulf of Aden.


The accord will grant seafarers on board vessels operated by companies covered by the UK Chamber of Shipping the right to refuse to serve on ships sailing through these areas "if they are not operating in accordance with the internationally-agreed Best Management Practices, or are not sailing through the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden," said the report in Tanker Operator.


The UK Chamber of Shipping's assistant general secretary Paul Moloney was quoted as saying, "These were positive discussions and we believe that the new agreement is a pragmatic response to the growing dangers faced by members.


"The Best Management Practices are internationally-agreed guidelines that have been developed by owners and unions, including Nautilus, and it is clear that they have a significant effect in reducing the risk of attack, as virtually no ships applying BMP have been taken by the pirates," he said.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)