FORMER International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary general Koji Sekimizu delivered a keynote address at the ReCP ISC Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference in Singapore that was held in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week and Sea Asia.
In his keynote address, Mr Sekimizu reviewed the history of activities of IMO in dealing with maritime security and anti-piracy actions covering the establishment of ReCP, Somali piracy, the contact group in conjunction with United Nations Security Council decisions, and Djibouti Code of Conduct, Best Management Practices.
The conference addressed hot topics, such as the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off east Sabah (Philippine coast guard); an update on the Indian Ocean high risk area by INTERTANKO; maritime cybersecurity by BIMCO; and the effects and implications of piracy during a panel discussion moderated by the World Maritime University.
'In 2018, there were 76 incidents of piracy and armed robbery reported in Asia. This was a 25 per cent decrease in the total number of incidents and a 31 per cent decrease in actual incidents compared to 2017.
'Nonetheless, it is important that we continue to reinforce the ownership of the coastal states in addressing maritime crime, the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the industry, and the timely reporting by ships, all of which have led to the decrease of incidents in Asia,' said ReCP ISC executive director Masafumi Kuroki.
'Over the past couple of years, piracy and terrorism in the Sulu and Celebes Seas has been a point of concern for the shipping industry. The valuable counter-piracy lessons learned here, and off Somalia, are worth exploring, and may well be applied in the current piracy hotspot number one: The Gulf of Guinea,' said BIMCO maritime security head Jakob Larsen.
'The threat from piracy remains in Asia and also in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean high risk area (HRA) continues to serve an important reference in ensuring ships and seafarers are prepared for pirate attacks,' said INTERTANKO environment director Tim Wilkins.
'A serious threat remains despite the reduction to the area's geographic boundaries and so correct reporting, vigilance and adherence to the 5th edition of the Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea (BMP5) remains crucial. Shipowners must remain alert and law enforcement agencies must continue to provide protection to shipping.'
WORLD SHIPPING
In his keynote address, Mr Sekimizu reviewed the history of activities of IMO in dealing with maritime security and anti-piracy actions covering the establishment of ReCP, Somali piracy, the contact group in conjunction with United Nations Security Council decisions, and Djibouti Code of Conduct, Best Management Practices.
The conference addressed hot topics, such as the abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off east Sabah (Philippine coast guard); an update on the Indian Ocean high risk area by INTERTANKO; maritime cybersecurity by BIMCO; and the effects and implications of piracy during a panel discussion moderated by the World Maritime University.
'In 2018, there were 76 incidents of piracy and armed robbery reported in Asia. This was a 25 per cent decrease in the total number of incidents and a 31 per cent decrease in actual incidents compared to 2017.
'Nonetheless, it is important that we continue to reinforce the ownership of the coastal states in addressing maritime crime, the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the industry, and the timely reporting by ships, all of which have led to the decrease of incidents in Asia,' said ReCP ISC executive director Masafumi Kuroki.
'Over the past couple of years, piracy and terrorism in the Sulu and Celebes Seas has been a point of concern for the shipping industry. The valuable counter-piracy lessons learned here, and off Somalia, are worth exploring, and may well be applied in the current piracy hotspot number one: The Gulf of Guinea,' said BIMCO maritime security head Jakob Larsen.
'The threat from piracy remains in Asia and also in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean high risk area (HRA) continues to serve an important reference in ensuring ships and seafarers are prepared for pirate attacks,' said INTERTANKO environment director Tim Wilkins.
'A serious threat remains despite the reduction to the area's geographic boundaries and so correct reporting, vigilance and adherence to the 5th edition of the Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea (BMP5) remains crucial. Shipowners must remain alert and law enforcement agencies must continue to provide protection to shipping.'
WORLD SHIPPING