INTERTANKO attends the CGPCS session in New York
INTERTANKO this week attended the CGPCS session in New York, where reports were given of the efforts to disrupt piracy enterprises ashore. This news was welcomed by all, particularly representatives from Somalia. Almost 70 countries were in attendance with solid representation from the industry, all determined to make an impact on the piracy menace.
The UN Contact Group has grown continually since its first meeting early in 2009, consisting of four longstanding WGs and a recently formed fifth WG:
WG1 – Military Operations and Regional Capacity
WG2 – Legal Issues
WG3 – Self Protection of Commercial Vessels
WG4 – Diplomatic and Public Information Efforts
WG5 – Efforts to Disrupt the Piracy Enterprise Ashore
(INTERTANKO representatives participate in WGs 1-3 and will join WG5 which has so far met just once. WG4 is closed to industry)
The CGPCS emphasised that close international co-operation continues to be of central importance in order to effectively tackle piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the wider Indian Ocean. The CGPCS underlined, though, that the ultimate responsibility to tackle piracy lies within Somalia, stressing the level of international anger at the ongoing suffering of innocent, kidnapped seafarers.
The reduction in successful attacks was very much welcomed by all, but this was tempered by the fact that attacks were on the increase and ransom demands were growing. Ultimate success, it was said, would be down to a wide range of actions but it is accepted that peace and stability are the key routes to the goal of safe seas for all.
It was noted that the famine in Somalia will only help provide more potential recruits for piracy activity, with some 3.2m people out of 7.5m considered starving or close to starving.
WG2 followed up on the recent meeting in the Seychelles, where delegates heard of the great efforts being made by Seychelles’ authorities in making successful prosecutions. In addition to this, the legal aspects relating to PCASPs was discussed and BIMCO advised that they recognised the fact that industry needs guidance on this issue, and that they are to introduce a standard contract to cover the legal aspects surrounding PCASPs.
WG3 reinforced the fact that implementing BMP4 should be of primary importance. It also told of the robust action by naval forces and the use of Vessel Protection Detachments. Work continues to support and co-ordinate capacity building in the wider region.
It was pleasing for all to see that WG4 has made some very positive steps in changing opinions within Somalia and the wider region, with innovative ways of promoting communication being explored in order to turn public opinion very much against piracy.
WG5 is the latest WG and is charged with primarily looking at following the financial flow of piracy with a view to then taking appropriate action. Potentially, this can make a significant impact, but is a very complicated task which cannot be underestimated. It was agreed that co-ordination and co-operation between groups is essential – although this could quite easily be said for all working groups.
While there’s some good news in the fact that actual, successful boardings are on the decline, the sheer number of attempts is acknowledged as being of great concern. It was heartening to hear that all of the countries’ delegates, at all levels, were of the opinion that they would not rest until the piracy menace was extinguished once and for all.
Source : INTERTANKO
