IMO issues circular highlighting the Interim Guidelines
The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-second session(12 to 21 June 2013), recognized the gravity of the issue of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Gulf of Guinea and the extreme violence exhibited, and expressed its deep concern for, and condemnation of, such activities.
The Committee called upon flag States whose ships are operating in the area to reinforce the need for the full implementation of the current recommendations to Governments and guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against shipsand other guidelines developed by the Organization and the industry.
Such other guidance includes the newly developed Interim Guidelines for Owners, Operators and Masters for protection against piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea region (the Interim Guidelines), developed by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) and the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) and are supported by NATO Shipping Centre. The Committee agreed to promulgate details of the Interim Guidelines and instructed the Secretariat to do so.
The Committee recognized that the Interim Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Best Management Practices (BMP), adopted and circulated by the Committee as MSC.1/Circ.1339, and the other IMO guidance mentioned above.
IMO invites Member Governments to consider the Interim Guidelines and advise owners, operators and managers of ships entitled to fly their flag, as well as the shipboard personnel employed or engaged on such ships, to act accordingly, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations with consultative status.
They are further invited to consider bringing the results of the experience gained from using the Interim Guidelines to the attention of the Committee.
Interim Guidelines for protection against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea
Piracy and armed robbery (hereafter referred to as piracy) in the Gulf of Guinea region is an established criminal activity and is of increasing concern to the maritime sector. With recent attacks becoming more widespread and violent, industry has now identified an urgent need to issue these Guidelines.
Although piracy in the Gulf of Guinea region in many ways differs from that of Somalia based piracy, large sections of the Best Management Practices already developed by industry to help protect against Somalia based piracy are also valid in the Gulf of Guinea region. Consequently, these interim Guidelines aim to bridge the gap between the advice currently found in BMP4 and the prevailing situation in the Gulf of Guinea region. Consequently, these guidelines should be read in conjunction with BMP4 and will make reference to BMP4 where relevant.
For further information, read the IMOCircular letter No.3394 and the
More information about the Interim Guidelines can also be learned in the Safety4Sea articles
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New Interim Anti- Piracy Guidelines for Gulf of Guinea Interim Guidelines for Owners, Operators and Masters for protection against piracy |
