Tag: maritime piracy

'Piracy Update' follows hijacking progress

NATO's Piracy Stats for September & October 2012

SOS calls for the release of Indian hostages

Security Council stressed the need for comprehensive action to eradicate piracy Acknowledging that international cooperation had helped bring about a sharp reduction in attacks at sea, the Security Council stressed the need for comprehensive action to eradicate piracy and condemned in the strongest terms hostage-taking and the increased violence employed in the crime, during an open meeting that heard from more than 40 speakers today."The Security Council welcomes the fact that effective counter-piracy measures through increased national, bilateral and multilateral initiatives as well as regional cooperative mechanisms have led to a substantial reduction in the number of successful piracy-related attacks in different regions, and recognizes the need for continuing efforts with these counter-piracy measures, as these gains are reversible," the Council said through a statement read out by its November President, Hardeep Singh Puri of India.In that context, the Council invited all States, along with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other relevant international organizations, to adopt or recommend measures to prevent maritime hijackings, as well as to protect seafarer victims of piracy and to assist them after their release. As part of the requisite comprehensive approach, it affirmed that coordination of regional efforts was primary, but also noted the ...

Valuable Advice To Mariners

UNODC Chief meets Seychelles President On Counter-Piracy Mission to East Africa

Pirates are getting more sophisticated

Navy Foils Kidnap, Arrests 7 Sea Pirates In Rivers

This week, the ships of NATO's counter piracy task force have been busy visiting local and regional mariners. Using their rigid hull inflatable boats, boarding teams from HNLMS ROTTERDAM, HDMS IVER HUITFELDT and USS HALYBURTON liaised with the dhows and skiffs to exchange information.Naval patrols, armed security guards and best management practices on merchant ships are often stated as the reasons for the reduced number of pirate attacks and hijacks, however, to discourage pirates from going to sea in the first place the task force is moving into the coastal waters of Somalia.Commodore Ben Bekkering, Commander of the task force explains;"We know the pirates find it increasingly difficult to remain undetected at sea for a long time. Yet, there they can still pose a threat. By moving closer inshore, making ourselves known, contacting the locals and showing the mariners, fishermen and traders alike that we are there to ensure maritime security for all, we aim to make it very difficult for the pirates to go to sea in the first place."The visits to dhows and their crews are a key instrument in this containment off the coast as they deter pirates, and reassure local villagers and fishermen. The commanding officer ...

EU naval force warns of piracy threats despite reduction off Horn of Africa