Tag: maritime piracy

EU is looking to increase the pressure militarily The European Union is aiming to step up the pressure on the "business model" used by pirates hijacking ships off Somalia, be that in terms of their financial transactions, their procurement of assets, their seizing of ships, the negotiation process and the money they obtain from ransoms.Speaking at a press conference here June 19, British Rear Adm. Duncan Potts, commander of the EU Naval Force operating off Somalia, explained that the EU is looking to "increase the pressure militarily and to support the EU's special representative for the Horn of Africa to enhance governance and security and provide alternative livelihoods for Somalians."In March, the EU extended EU NAVFOR's mandate to 2014 and expanded the area of operations to include the Somalia coast as well as its territorial and internal waters, enabling it to disrupt pirate logistical dumps.Potts said he would disrupt such areas "when the conditions necessitate using it," and that care would be taken to ensure that innocent coastal communities are not affected."The beach is a critical capability . They must come from and go back to the beach," he said.In the first half of 2011, 28 ocean-going merchant ships were ...

Fighting broke out when a group of pirates tried to capture another pirate gang, Pirates fired on each other on land on the Somali coast Monday, killing at least one person and wounding many others, residents near the fighting said.Witnesses in Hobyo, in the Mudug region of Somalia, said fighting broke out when a group of pirates tried to capture another pirate gang, Shabelle Media Network said."We woke up this morning hearing the barrage of bullets and sounds of artillery fire exchanging between two groups of Somali pirates," one resident told Shabelle.Officials said calm had been restored in Hobyo, believed to be a pirate hideout.Somali pirates have attacked hundreds of ships traveling in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.Source: UPI

Somali pirates found guilty of hijacking French vessel Somali pirates who were found guilty of hijacking the French vessel Le Ponant in 2008 have been sentenced to a total of 24 years imprisonment by a Paris court.Of the six Somali pirates, who were captured by French forces in a daring raid on land, with a 4x4 vehicle, arms and a part of the ransom, two were acquitted. One was sentenced to serve four years but this was negated by his detention on remand since April, 2008. All three had protested their innocence.Two others were sentenced to seven years imprisonment and the remaining pirate, who admitted participating in the whole operation, was told he must serve ten years. It is, as yet, unclear whether the jail terms will be served in France or using the facilities of cooperating jurisdictions in the East African Region.Commenting on the judgements, Alastair Evitt, Chairman of the shipping industry anti-piracy group SOS SaveOurSeafarers says; "This is encouraging news. There are about 3,500 criminals active in these pirate gangs. All too often, when they are captured by security forces, confusion over admissible evidence or legal and international diplomatic complexities mean that they are set free to offend ...

Somali pirates pose a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, Leaders of the international maritime trade unions wrote a letter to the United Nations urging the organization to take action against the increasing attacks of pirates on civilian vessels, Nikolai Sukhanov, the chairman of the Russian Professional Union of Sailors, said on Monday."Cases of sailors' abductions by pirates continue. Representatives of the fisheries committees with the International Transport Federation voice concern that sailors are still objected to humiliation and injuries as they are abducted by pirates," he said."Unfortunately, ransom is still the only guarantee for a safe liberation of sailors, but trade union leaders note that some countries want to prohibit paying ransoms," Sukhanov added.He said that if the payment of ransoms for the release of captured sailors is ruled as illegal, it would lead to unpredictable consequences and jeopardize the lives of sailors in case of pirate attacks.Somali pirates pose a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, where they have robbed and seized numerous vessels. Some shipping firms have started hiring armed security to protect their ships from pirates. Since 2010, there have been regular attacks on vessels in ...

Seven incidents comprising one piracy incident and six armed robbery were reported ReCAAP issues Report for May 2012 . During this May , a total of seven incidents comprising one piracy incident and six armed robbery against ships incidents were reported in Asia.Compared to the same period in 2011 and 2010, there has been an improvement in the situation in May 2012. This was due to the decrease in the number of petty theft incidents which occurred mostly at ports and anchorages.You may view the Report, by clicking here.Source: ReCAAP

In 2011, attacks January - May was 176, while this year is 30 The number of pirate attacks between January and May this year has reduced considerably when compared to the same period last year. "Piracy is weakening and this is evident by the statistics. In 2011, the total attacks between January and May was 176, while during the same period this year it is 30.In 2009 it was 163 and in 2010 it was 174,- said Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupuis, force commander, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) operation Atalanta (Task Force 465) at a press briefing at the French Embassy yesterday. Also in 2012 the number of ships that pirates have captured during the same period has reduced to five while it was 25 last year.The number of disruptions (an action that renders a pirate group incapable of further pirate operations) by EU Navfor stood at 11 this year.As part of a comprehensive approach, the EU launched European Naval Force Somalia -" Operation Atalanta (EU Navfor -" Atalanta) in 2008. Since the launch, EU NAVFOR -" Operation Atalanta continues to successfully perform its mission and contributes to improving maritime security off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian ...

New guidance issued to UK-flagged ships Armed guards on ships in the Indian Ocean have permission to fire first to fend off Somali pirates, under new guidance issued to UK-flagged ships.Foreign Office minister Henry Bellingham said the new advice was clearer than earlier versions and was intended to give security teams instructions on when they can act.Mr Bellingham made his remarks in a Commons debate on Somalia, called to discuss a report on the country by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.He told MPs: "The starting point must be our current common and statute law - which is pretty clear on what you can and cannot do."We make it clear it is illegal to use force for retaliation or revenge."If a security attachment believes a threat is imminent, it is not necessary for them to wait for the aggressor to strike the first blow before using reasonable and precautionary force to defend themselves."It's that of a graduated response."Mr Bellingham said if a boat was spotted but was not obviously engaged in an act of piracy, it would be illegal to use force against it - though this would not forbid firing any warning shots.Source: news.scotsman.com

Measures must be taken for the safety of ships New legislation on the measures to be taken to protect Cyprus ships from acts of piracy and other illegal acts is passing through Parliament.The draft law affirms the general principle that necessary measures must be taken for the safety of ships and the prevention of illegal acts in accordance with Chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and EC Regulation 725/2004. Additional measures, including the use of private security firms, may be taken when a vessel enters a high-risk area. The draft law sets out: a process for the Cyprus authorities to grant operators of Cyprus ships permission to employ private security contractors to protect a vessel; the licensing process for private security firms wishing to provide services to Cyprus ships (firms that are not incorporated in Cyprus will be required to appoint an authorised representative in Cyprus); and the rights and obligations of the master, crew and other persons onboard Cyprus ships, including rights of arrest and detention with respect to persons that have committed or purported to commit an illegal act against the vessel, its ...

Attacks dropping considerably this year compared to last year It's welcome news for shipping companies and the governments around the world, piracy is on the decline with attacks dropping considerably this year compared to last year.According to Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupuis, force commander, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) operation Atalanta (Task Force 465), who was in Muscat yesterday, piracy is on the decline due to increased vigilance by the anti-piracy forces. He presented statistics to support his remarks.In 2011, the total number of attacks between January and May was 176, while in 2012 during the same period it came down to mere 30. Similarly in 2009, 163 cases were reported while in 2010 the number stood at 174.Since EU launched European Naval Force Somalia -" Operation Atalanta (EU Navfor -" Atalanta) in 2008, it has been successfully performing its mission and contributing to improving maritime security off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.The Council of the EU has decided to extend the operation until December 2014.Source: Times of Oman

Piracy off the coast of Somalia remains a critical issue Piracy off the coast of Somalia remains a critical issue for the United States, the international community, and the global economy, said U.S. Principal Deputy Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Thomas Kelly. Since 2008, Somali pirates have hijacked 175 vessels and attacked at least 445 others. They have kidnapped 3,000 crew members from over 40 countries and are still holding 241 hostages today. They hijacked 27 ships last year and six already this year.Somalia offers pirates nearly ideal conditions.Along the coastline where pirates operate there is little governance and weak institutions provide them with safe haven. Furthermore, Somalia sits along one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.In confronting piracy, the U.S. has pursued an integrated multi-dimensional approach, which has begun to turn the tide on this transnational crime. In 2009, the U.S. helped establish the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia to promote action and coordinate efforts to suppress Somali piracy. It will also be critical to re-establish stability, responsive law enforcement, and effective governance in Somalia.In addition to diplomatic efforts, the U.S. has taken steps to increase security at sea including the Combined Task Force ...