Tag: Best Management Practices (BMP)

Mr. Jakob P. Larsen, Head of Maritime Security at BIMCO, provides an overview of the status of maritime security in the piracy affected areas around the world, citing possible reasons for the escalation of piracy in the GoG. In addition, Mr. Larsen highlights that industry should not be complacent with the lower activity reported in Somalia.

Shipping industry has welcomed the announcement of the  BMP 5, now available for use to all those intend to transit from HOA and adjacent sea areas. But, how aware are ship operators about the updates in comparison to BMP4? Here is a quick guide on what changes in the new version of BMP.

In June 2018, the 5th edition of the piracy-specific Best Management Practice (BMP5) was published compiling a useful and comprehensive guidance which introduces effective measures for the protection of crew, vessels and cargo while transiting  the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The new edition supersedes BMP4.

The guidance highlights the use of the Maritime Security Transit Corridor, the registration with MSCHOA and reporting to UKMTO, as well as reviewing and updating risk assessments and plans to include new threats.

The Seychellois Attorney General informed on 18 December, that the six Somali nationals apprehended by the crew of EU NAVFOR flagship 'ITS Virginio Fasan' have been charged with ‘committing an act of piracy’ and ‘attempting an act of piracy’ in the Indian Ocean.

Five piracy incidents against ships in Asia, comprising four actual incidents and one attempted incident, were reported to the ReCAAP ISC, during 21-27 November 2017. ReCAAP ISC urges ship masters and crews to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State and exercise vigilance.

Six suspected pirates on a motor whaler, acting as mother ship, and a skiff have been detained following attacks on a 52,000 tonne container ship and a fishing vessel, during a a 24 hour operation by EUNAVFOR, on 17-18 November, in the Southern Somali Basin.

In response to the piracy incidents in Gulf of Aden and Bab Al Mandeb, Combined Maritime Forces are establishing a Maritime Security Transit Corridor, to provide a recommended merchant traffic route around which Naval Forces can focus their presence and surveillance efforts.

In view of the recent attacks against merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb, Combined Maritime Forces reminds operators that there are still risks associated with transits through these waters. Daylight attacks by small boats have been conducted against the tankers MV Galicia Spirit in October 2016 and MT Muskie in May 2017.

UK P&I club informed that, since the end of March, there has been a re-escalation in the number of suspicious approaches around the Southern Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden. This rise in activity has cumulated with the confirmed taking of one Indian Fishing Dhow CASAYR II and the MT ARIS 13, which was subsequently released.