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The
shipping industry, along with seafarer groups, has called for an urgent action
against the ongoing issue of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
shipping industry, along with seafarer groups, has called for an urgent action
against the ongoing issue of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
“The high level of
piracy and armed robbery attacks in the Gulf of Guinea is not acceptable. Yet
it is happening every day and this is not business as usual. We need to take
urgent action now,” Dr. Grahaeme Henderson,
Chair of the UK Shipping Defence Advisory Committee and Vice President of Shell
Shipping & Maritime, told a symposium on Maritime Security in the Gulf of
Guinea.
piracy and armed robbery attacks in the Gulf of Guinea is not acceptable. Yet
it is happening every day and this is not business as usual. We need to take
urgent action now,” Dr. Grahaeme Henderson,
Chair of the UK Shipping Defence Advisory Committee and Vice President of Shell
Shipping & Maritime, told a symposium on Maritime Security in the Gulf of
Guinea.
Concerns raised by the industry were
supported by figures from the International Maritime Bureau showing that the
number of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea region had doubled in 2018. There has
also been a marked increase towards kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery
incidents.
supported by figures from the International Maritime Bureau showing that the
number of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea region had doubled in 2018. There has
also been a marked increase towards kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery
incidents.
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the Director
General and CEO of the Nigerian Maritime Authority and Safety Agency (NIMASA),
explained that new initiatives underway to improve the joint capacity of
Nigerian law enforcement and Navy capabilities could make seafarer kidnappings
“history” within a matter of months.
General and CEO of the Nigerian Maritime Authority and Safety Agency (NIMASA),
explained that new initiatives underway to improve the joint capacity of
Nigerian law enforcement and Navy capabilities could make seafarer kidnappings
“history” within a matter of months.
“We have no option but to work together,
but we cannot have imposed solutions,” Peterside added.
but we cannot have imposed solutions,” Peterside added.
Speakers at the event emphasized the
region was starting to build capacity and joint cooperation to fight maritime
crime through the Yaoundé Process, which focuses on joint cooperation across
the region for reporting and response. The international community is also
sponsoring long-term capacity building and partnerships.
region was starting to build capacity and joint cooperation to fight maritime
crime through the Yaoundé Process, which focuses on joint cooperation across
the region for reporting and response. The international community is also
sponsoring long-term capacity building and partnerships.
However, the shipping industry, seafarer
groups and Flag States are keen to identify actions that can have an immediate
impact. On this note, attendees heard about Spanish Navy’s action to assist
Equatorial Guinea to rescue seafarers from a piracy attack last month, as well
as the new U.S. program to embark law enforcement officers on regional vessels.
groups and Flag States are keen to identify actions that can have an immediate
impact. On this note, attendees heard about Spanish Navy’s action to assist
Equatorial Guinea to rescue seafarers from a piracy attack last month, as well
as the new U.S. program to embark law enforcement officers on regional vessels.
“Nigerian piracy mainly affects a small
geographical area of around 150 x 150 nautical miles. The problem can be solved
easily and quickly, especially if Nigeria partners with international navies.
Nigeria holds the key to solving this problem,” Jakob Larsen, Head of Security
for BIMCO pointed out that regional states needed to play their part as well.
geographical area of around 150 x 150 nautical miles. The problem can be solved
easily and quickly, especially if Nigeria partners with international navies.
Nigeria holds the key to solving this problem,” Jakob Larsen, Head of Security
for BIMCO pointed out that regional states needed to play their part as well.
Concerns over increased piracy in the
Gulf of Guinea have resulted in several member states submitting proposals that
could help address the crisis.
Gulf of Guinea have resulted in several member states submitting proposals that
could help address the crisis.
World Maritime News
