In response to regional piracy, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed suggested that closer cooperation between countries and having armed guards on merchant ships are among ways being considered to improve maritime security in South East Asia. A maritime security company has welcomed that, but warns that the burden of responsibility will still be with shipping companies to protect their assets and crews.
Gerry Northwood OBE, Chief Operating Officer at MAST, pictured, said: “Responsible governments, like the Malaysians and Indonesians, are taking an increasingly pro-active approach to maritime security because they recognise that national wealth is intrinsically linked to good management of their Territorial Waters and Economic Zones.
“Regional cooperation and allowing armed security teams on vessels transiting through SE Asian waters will help improve a layered defense system that includes the deployment of rapid response teams announced by Malaysian and Indonesian authorities in August after a spate of attacks. Admittedly it can take time before it becomes an effective measure, but this is a move in the right direction.”
He added: “Local and regional authorities need to do what they can to secure a safe environment for vessels to transit through, but shipping companies cannot afford to relax their guard either. The responsibility will still be on the ships and crews to take necessary precautions and ensure security measures remain effective while in transit, at anchor, in port and during cargo operations.”
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur was the venue for the IMB International Meeting on Global Piracy, Armed Robbery and Maritime Security on September 14 and 15, where more than 200 delegates from 30 countries assembled. Reflecting the cooperation between civil and governmental entities, the meeting was organised by the ICC International Maritime Bureau was co-hosted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Interpol and the Royal Malaysian Police.
The keynote speech delivered by the Malaysian Deputy Home Minister commented on the resurgence of piracy and armed robbery in South East Asia, stressing the importance of maritime domain to Malaysia and the need for cooperation with neighbours in the region in order to apprehend the kingpins behind the piracy activity.
The Inspector General of the Royal Malaysian Police gave a review of the issues in respect of the collection of evidence and international conventions affecting the law enforcement perspective of piracy and armed robbery investigations further stated that it will be useful to conduct a detailed review of the laws and conventions affecting the prosecution of pirates, with a view towards incorporating UNCLOS into Malaysian domestic law to ensure that criminals can be prosecuted.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) highlighted examples of recent successes, including the arrest and prosecution of the SUN BIRDIE gang and arrest of the ORKIM HARMONY hijackers.
The speech pointed to the key challenges facing the shipping industry which, in addition to piracy, includes mass illegal migrations, the scale of which overwhelms the capacity of all stakeholders. This view was also shared by the Royal Malaysian Police, who identified human smuggling in the maritime domain as posing new concerns. To improve this situation participants considered how a common worldwide information sharing framework could possibly expedite the receipt and distribution of critical details needed to enable naval and law enforcement forces to respond quickly enough to protect seafarers and arrest the perpetrators.
Pottengal Mukundan, Director of the IMB said: “Information sharing and coordinated action between concerned coastal states is crucial in responding to this threat. However, the proliferation of reporting centres in some regions could create a degree of confusion that can leave seafarers and ships unnecessarily at risk.”
Industry highlighted a number of actions taken to support international effort to suppress maritime crime and to protect their seafarers. Further development of the Best Management Practice and a standardisation of global reporting is high 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 suggested this important role could be broadened offering an opportunity for the IMB to play a leading role.
The international gathering of maritime security experts representing governments, law enforcement agencies, navies, international organisations the shipping industry and seafarers’ unions also considered the threats created by organised crime, human smuggling and acts of terrorism. Beyond the reporting and response issues, the meeting also addressed other areas of concern such as the impact on seafarers and their families, post-incident protection of evidence, and the regional differences in the pirates’ strategies of attack.
Other developments considered included use of armed guards and whether or not they fit into response measures in different high risk areas, the more co-ordinated use of naval vessels in anti piracy operations, the challenges faced by law enforcement in arresting and prosecuting pirates and armed robbers, and the targeting of product oil cargoes on board vulnerable vessels.
