Removal of the Indian Ocean High Risk Area: key considerations for ship operators

Last year, key Industry Associations – including ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, OCIMF, BIMCO and IMCA – after reviewing the security situation in the Indian Ocean and Southern Red Sea,
and submitting related notice to IMO Maritime Safety Committee, had requested to withdraw the Indian Ocean as HRA due to piracy decline. In particular, ICC IMB’s report detailed 90 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Gulf of Guinea in the first nine months of 2022, the lowest recorded figure in three decades while incidents in the Singapore Straits showed an increase.

As such, the Liberian Administration has issued maritime security advisory to inform about this update, highlighting that the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) administered by UKMTO has not changed. Ships entering the VRA are encouraged to report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) in accordance with industry BMP (Best Management Practices). From 2010 until today the HRA has been reduced 3 times (2015, 2019,2021) with latest amendment effective from 1st September 2021.

Best Management Practices 5 (BMP5) will continue to provide the necessary guidance for shipping to ensure threat and risk assessments are developed for every voyage to mitigate the risks presented by remaining security threats in the region. The shipping industry will continue to monitor and advise on maritime security threats to assist the safe transit of vessels and the seafarers.

When operating within territorial seas or calling ports within the previously defined HRA as shown on UKHO Chart Q6099, Masters shall set the vessel security level to the level set by the port State authority but may implement security measures in excess of the security level set by the port authorities based on their assessment of the conditions in the port.

When operating outside territorial seas or ports within the previously defined HRA shown on UKHO chart Q6099, all Liberian flagged vessels shall operate at security level II. All security level changes should be reported directly to the Flag Administration by the Master via email

The Liberian Administration strongly recommends that Vessels Owners, Characters, Operators
and Ships Masters continue to carry out pre-voyage threat and risk assessments to consider the
latest maritime security information from organizations supporting the VRA, including use of
privately contracted security personnel, as deemed necessary.