BIMCO piracy seminar focus: be prepared

A seminar on piracy in the Gulf of Aden, held last week in London, focused on a coordinated approach to the problem, which saw more than 100 attacks on merchant ships, and more than 40 ships seized during 2008.

Better coordination between stakeholders will improve countermeasures, increase the flow of information between them and enable more meaningful advice to be given to owners and masters of ships likely to transit areas vulnerable to attack, said the international shipping organization BIMCO, which organized the event, in a statement. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences, discuss what strategies were working and what might be improved and harden up common ideas on best practice to counter the piracy menace. Co-hosted by maritime security company Maritime & Underwater Security Consultants, the workshop brought together shipping industry experts, government officials, representatives from the International Maritime Organization, and specialists in security, insurance and law.

Among the specific areas discussed were the improvement of training and drills for ships’ personnel and the provision of a better information system and legal guidance to ship operators and shipmasters, BIMCO said. Defensive and military tactics were discussed, with suggestions for improvement to further reduce the number of attacks. The workshop also discussed strategies to be adopted in the event of the seizure of a ship, to improve and better coordinate negotiation methods, and mitigate the ordeal for the seized crew and the seafarers’ families.

Source: American Shipper