IMB: Global Reporting System Needed to Curb Piracy

The ICC International Maritime Bureau is asking for a worldwide reporting system within the wake of an alarming uptick within the variety of piracy and armed theft assaults in opposition to ships at sea.

The name to motion was introduced throughout discussions with key maritime stakeholders that passed off the IMB International assembly on Global Piracy, Armed Robbery and Maritime Security held this week in Kuala Lumpur. The conferences, co-hosted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Interpol and the Royal Malaysian Police, drew greater than 200 delegates from 30 nations and focussed on the foremost dangers elements within the evolving risk of worldwide piracy, notably in South East Asia.

A maritime piracy report by the IMB launched in July highlighted the continued hijacking risk of small coastal tankers in South East Asia, averaging one assault each two weeks. According to the report, 5 small tankers had been hijacked in South East Asian waters within the second quarter of 2015 alone, bringing the whole variety of vessels hijacked globally in 2015 to 13. The report famous {that a} whole of 134 incidents of piracy and armed theft in opposition to ships had been reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) within the first six months of 2015; a rise on the 116 experiences for the corresponding interval in 2014.

At the conferences, the keynote speech was delivered by the Malaysian Deputy Home Minister who commented on the resurgence of piracy and armed theft in South East Asia, stressing the significance of maritime area to Malaysia and the necessity for cooperation with neighboring nations within the area with a view to apprehend the kingpins behind the piracy exercise.

Inspector General of the Royal Malaysian Police gave a overview of the problems in respect to the gathering of proof and worldwide conventions from a legislation enforcement perspective of piracy and armed theft investigations. The Inspector General acknowledged that it will likely be helpful to conduct an in depth overview of the legal guidelines and conventions affecting the prosecution of pirates, with a view in direction of incorporating UNCLOS into Malaysian home legislation with a view to make sure that criminals may be prosecuted.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) highlighted examples of current successes, together with the arrest and prosecution of the SUN BIRDIE gang and arrest of the ORKIM HARMONY hijackers.

The business keynote additionally pointed to different key challenges going through the delivery business such because the overwhelming variety of unlawful migrations.

To enhance the state of affairs, contributors thought of how a standard worldwide data sharing framework might probably expedite the receipt and distribution of crucial particulars wanted to allow naval and legislation enforcement forces to reply rapidly sufficient to guard seafarers and arrest perpetrators.

Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB commented: “Information sharing and coordinated action between concerned coastal states is crucial in responding to this threat. However, the proliferation of reporting centers in some regions could create a degree of confusion that can leave seafarers and ships unnecessarily at risk.”

Industry highlighted various actions taken to help worldwide effort to suppress maritime crime and to guard seafarers. Further growth of the Best Management Practice and a standardization of world reporting is excessive on their agenda.

“For crimes at sea, rapid response is crucial if there is to be any possibility of prosecuting the pirates,” added Mukundan. “The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre plays a crucial role liaising between merchant ships and coastal authorities and navies, and is prepared to further enhance the effectiveness of these joint efforts.”

Industry stakeholders instructed this vital position may very well be broadened providing a chance for the IMB to play a number one position.

The worldwide gathering of maritime safety consultants representing governments, legislation enforcement businesses, navies, worldwide organizations the delivery business and seafarers’ unions additionally thought of the threats created by organized crime, human smuggling and acts of terrorism. Beyond reporting and response points, the assembly additionally addressed different areas of concern such because the impression on seafarers and their households, post-incident safety of proof, and the regional variations within the pirates’ methods of assault.

Other developments which had been thought of included using armed guards and whether or not or not they match into complete response measures in several excessive danger areas, the extra co-ordinated use of naval vessels in anti piracy operations, the challenges confronted by legislation enforcement in arresting and prosecuting pirates and armed robbers, and the concentrating on of product oil cargoes on board weak vessel.