North American Panel
March 19, 2012
UPDATE
ON
PIRACY
JOSEPH ANGELO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
PIRACY - Somalia
• 2010 Statistics (IMB)
- 219 attempted incidents
- 49 hijackings (21% of incidents)
• 2011 Statistics
- 237 attempted incidents
- 28 hijackings (11% of incidents)
• 2012 Statistics (Mar 8)
- 31 attempted incidents
- 6 hijackings (19% of incidents)
INTERTANKO FOCUS
• Actions members can take to
protect themselves
• Actions we want governments to
take to protect our members
FOCUS AREAS - INDUSTRY
• Best Management Practices
(BMP)
• Citadels
• Armed guards
BMP
Three essential requirements that
cannot be over emphasized:
• Register with MSCHOA
• Report to UKMTO
• Implement Self Protection
Measures
BMP4
• Produced in consultation with
EUNAVFOR, the NATO Shipping
Centre, MSCHOA and UKMTO
• Very close cooperation with all
military players in the BMP4 revision
• Funded by Industry and available
free of charge
BMP4
• Released August 15, 2011 (BMP3 issued 6/2010)
• Updates in BMP4 include:
- Revision to the boundaries of the High Risk Area
- Clarification of reporting requirements for MSCHOA
and UKMTO
- New subsection on “Prosecution of Pirates – Assisting
Law Enforcement Authorities”, produced with INTERPOL
- Guidance on the assistance provided by INTERPOL.
- New section on Armed Private Maritime Security
Contractors
COMPLIANCE WITH BMP
• MSCHOA – currently issuing regular
Monthly Compliance Report to Industry
• Report lists vessels which are not
compliant with BMP by either:
1. not Registering with MSCHOA
2. not Reporting to UKMTO
3. having no visible self protection
measures
COMPLIANCE WITH BMP
Industry is responding by:
• Contacting Shipping Companies on list
• Emphasising need for compliance with BMP,
in particular the 3 major elements in order to
harden a vessel against attack
• Urging compliance even if armed guards are
being carried
• Requesting feed-back as to why vessels are
not complying
• Offering advice and support
CITADELS
• Since January 2010 there have been 27
recorded incidents of citadels being used by
merchant crews under attack
• Reporting suggests that the citadel was
decisive in foiling 23 of these attacks
• For 4, not all in citadel and/or no 2-way coms
• Pirates developing tactics to breach citadels
• Advise issued by the military regarding the
use of CITADELS on MSCHOA web site
CITADELS
Key essential elements if citadels are to
be used:
• Everyone on the ship must be in the citadel
• Must have self-contained, 2 way
communication capabilities in the citadel
• Pirates must be denied access to propulsion
• Must have food and water provisions for 3
days minimum
• Use of a citadel does NOT guarantee a
military response
CITADELS
Industry developed guidance on citadels
• Describes the construction and use of a Citadel in order
to provide effective protection against determined
intrusion
• Guidance does not recommend or endorse the use of a
Citadel; aim to present the relevant facts to enable the
Ship Owner/Operator to reach a reasoned conclusion as
to whether or not to utilise a Citadel
• Guidance has been approved by NATO, EUNAFOR and
CMF and is available on their web sites
ARMED GUARDS
• 50+ recorded incidents where onboard
armed security teams were involved
• No recorded incidents of vessels with
onboard armed security teams being pirated
• Military report use of armed guards rising
• If embarked, military request it is reported
• Military position – decision between
shipowners and flag state
ARMED GUARDS
INTERTANKO position regarding the use of
armed guards
• INTERTANKO believes it is the responsibility of the
international navies to ensure the right of free passage on
the high seas including the use of vessel protection
detachments on merchant ships
• INTERTANKO does not advocate the arming ships' crews
• INTERTANKO believes that the use of private armed
guards or private security forces onboard merchant ships
has to be a matter for each individual owner or manager
to assess as part of their own voyage risk assessment
ARMED GUARDS
• Recognition of a need for Industry guidance
• May 2011 – Industry produces a set of Draft
Guidelines for the use of Privately Contracted
Armed Security Personnel
• Submitted draft guidelines to IMO Maritime
Safety Committee for consideration
• MSC adopts interim guidance
ARMED GUARDS
IMO Maritime Safety Committee
• MSC.1/Circ.1405 – Interim Guidance to Shipowners,
Ship Operators and Ship Masters on the use of Privately
Contracted Armed Security Personnel on Board Ships in
the High Risk Area
• MSC.1/Circ.1406 – Interim Recommendations for Flag
States regarding the use of Privately Contracted Armed
Security Personnel on Board Ships in the High Risk Area
• MSC.1/Circ.1408 – Interim Recommendations for Port
and Coastal States regarding the use of Privately
Contracted Armed Security Personnel on Board Ships in
the High Risk Area
ESSENTIAL ACTION
• Register with MSCHOA
• Report ship position to UKMTO
• Utilize the Best Management Practices
• Employ Self Protective Measures
FOCUS AREAS - GOVTS
• Increased "Government Will" to eradicate
piracy off Somalia
• Cease the use of mother ships
• Increased prosecution of convicted pirates
• Increased naval assets in the region
• Increased public awareness to drive the
desired increase in "Government Will“
• Action to address the root cause of piracy
ashore in Somalia
MOTHERSHIPS
• Mother ships give the pirates operational range,
duration and tactical use of hostages in almost the
entire Indian Ocean
• Motherships must be controlled/immobilised
• Major concern is reprisals against crew held hostage
on motherships
• Controlling /immobilising action on the high seas is
preferred
• It is for the military to decide on the nature of the
action and for politicians to indicate their acceptance
of the need for action to be taken.
PROSECUTION
• Few countries involved in counter-piracy
activity have "conspiracy to commit piracy"
on their statute books
• For others, carrying fire arms, grappling
hooks, ladders, etc. is not a criminal offence
on the high seas
• Capture and release policy has no effect
upon piracy
• All countries must increase prosecutorial
action
ASSETS
Currently about 30 assets in the region
• European Union established an EU Naval Force
(EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta
• Combined Maritime Force established CTF 151
• China, India, Malaysia, Rep of Korea, Russia and
others
• Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1)
For one hour response time – 83 warships
How long will the assets remain???
CONVOY ESCORT PROGRAM
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pilot project initiated by insurance industry
18 assets to provide convoy service in IRTC
Assets under flag of legitimacy
Under tactical command of military
$27 million initial start-up costs (EU funded?)
Average cost for transit $27,500 for three days escort
Cost neutral for industry – would include 7 day War Risk
Additional Premium and Kidnap/Ransom Insurance
• Some concerns raised
-
would military assets remain in the region??
should industry pay for eradication of piracy??
is CEP cost-effective
legal implications related to international/territorial waters
• INTERTANKO Council does not support CEP
SOS CAMPAIGN
• SaveOurSeafarers (SOS) campaign initiated by
INTERTANKO. Joined by BIMCO, ICS, ITF and
INTERCARGO
• Contracted with PR firm to increase public,
business and government awareness
• Phase One –
- Ad in Financial Times and World Street Journal
- www.SaveOurSeafarers.com web site
- Letters to UN SG, Heads of State and EU
President
- Interviews with press and news media
- Press releases after incidents
SOS CAMPAIGN
• Phase Two –
- Social media (Blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc)
- Actively engage policy makers
- Further ads, press releases and interviews
- Seek high profile name to assist in cause
• Wider industry involvement, now includes support
from 30 maritime associations/organizations
• Steering committee established to brainstorm
ideas, prioritize work items and manage budget
• Phase Three
- More focus on high level politicians
RESULTS
Results, thus far –
• 108,000+ visits to SOS website
• From 191 countries
• 31,600+ letters sent in 86 countries
• 4,100+ Facebook fans and 750+
followers on Twitter
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
•
•
•
•
Feb 23 – London Somalia Conference
Hosted by UK PM David Cameron
40+ senior government leaders
Focus on seven areas, including piracy
Major Concern – Cameron statement
“…creating an international task force to
discourage the payment of ransoms to
pirates and other groups to eliminate the
profit motive…”
Thank you!!