Maritime Security

[Aegean]

Hello.

I am on a project regarding maritime security. As far as I have figured the main threat to security in the sea is modern piracy, followed by immigrant trafficking. I would like you to post any information you may have or your personal opinion on these subjects.
For example what steps are taken by individual countries or international organizations to suppress piracy.

All input is welcome

 

[OPSSG]

Please use the search function on DT forum before asking for help. Since you are not aware, there is an existing thread in DT on pirates, Use of Frigates for Interception/Fisheries patrols, private navies and RAN to shift focus from battles to piracy (I have provided links here - since you have not done a search on DT forum yet).

See also the May 2006, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies paper on Safety and Security in Malacca and Singapore Straits. The 40 page report identifies the types of merchant vessels are vulnerable to pirate attacks and provides for a 21 point action plan.

Institutional Arrangements And Capacity Building
1. Adopt a comprehensive approach to maritime security, safety and
environmental protection in the Malacca and Singapore Straits.

2. Establish an inclusive approach to maritime security, safety and environmental protection in the Malacca and Singapore Straits that recognizes the interests of all stakeholders.

3. Strengthen the IMO-sponsored meeting process to provide a regular forum
for dialogue between stakeholders on security, safety and environmental
protection arrangements in the Straits.

4. Assist port administrations to build their capacity to suppress armed robbery
against ships and other forms of maritime crime within anchorages and port
approaches.

5. Develop guidelines for the employment of Private Security Companies (PSCs) in providing security for vessels transiting the Straits.

Risk Assessment and Reduction
6. Conduct more accurate analysis and assessments of the risks of piracy and
armed robbery against ships.

7. Use the analysis of piracy and armed robbery against ships to inform
assessments about the risks of maritime terrorism.

8. Develop cooperative arrangements, including agreed guidelines, for
protecting vessels most at risk of hijacking.

9. Develop contingency arrangements for managing a major incident involving a cruise liner or passenger ferry in the Malacca and Singapore Straits.

10. Introduce measures to control the proliferation of small arms and light
weapons in areas adjacent to the Straits.

Regime Building
11. Investigate a regime for burden sharing and recovering the costs of providing security, safety and environmental protection in the Malacca and Singapore Straits.

12. Strengthen arrangements for maritime search and rescue (SAR) in the Malacca and Singapore Straits.

13. Link these to the cooperative arrangements for maritime security and
consequence management.

14. Encourage all littoral and adjacent countries to ratify the SAR and SUA
Conventions.

15. Establish Joint Cooperation Zones where cooperative arrangements for safety and security might apply, which might include territorial seas or archipelagic waters of littoral countries.

16. Implement the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and
Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) as soon as possible.

Operational Cooperation
17. Improve cooperation between the maritime security forces of littoral countries to provide prompt responses to incidents in the Straits.

18. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to cover joint patrolling by
maritime security forces, including entry into territorial seas, archipelagic and
internal waters.

19. Develop Guidelines for the involvement of non-littoral countries for providing security in the Malacca Straits.

20. Foster a programme of multilateral and multi-agency security exercises in the Malacca and Singapore Straits and their approaches.

21. Provide international assistance for Indonesia in establishing a coastal radar network similar to that being established by Malaysia.

 

[Aegean]

Please use the search function on DT forum before asking for help. Since you are not aware, there is an existing thread in DT on pirates (and I have provided a link).

See also the May 2006, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies published a paper on Safety and Security in Malacca and Singapore Straits. The 40 page report identifies merchant vessels are vulnerable to pirate attacks and provides for a 21 point action plan.

thx a lot. The thread you link to has incredibly much info.

If however anyone has further comments / info on maritime security (apart from piracy) please post it.

 

[OPSSG]

What about providing your input on maritime security issues? What is your position on piracy and immigrant trafficking?

Start with stating a position so that others can comment. But before you do so, you should put some effort in your replies and content, so that it adds value to the subject/topic being discussed. Bear in mind, forum members are not so free as to write your project for you.

Please see: http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/rules.php

 

[Aegean]

Start with stating a position so that others can comment. But before you do so, you should put some effort in your replies and content, so that it adds value to the subject/topic being discussed. Bear in mind, forum members are not so free as to write your project for you.

Please see: http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/rules.php

You are right, point well taken.


The past week has been full of hijacking incidents (eight to be precise), with the one about the Saudi super tanker being the most alarming. I read that the owners of the ship negotiate for the ransom. Is this how they usually deal with these cases or has there been armed intervention in the past? I know it is much more safe to pay the ransom rather than to jeopardize the entire ship with a firefight but if anyone knows of such a case please mention it.

Could there be a similarity between terrorists in Middle East and the western intervention and the current crisis with the pirates? I mean, the War in Terror has been challenged by many pacifists as well by Eastern-bloc countries. Could this be the begin of a "War on Pirates"?

Also, I would like to know about the position of the United Nations upon the matter. UN operates in Somalia and in other SE African countries so I guess UN vessels will be using those waters a lot. Has the Security Council or the IMO officially authorized an intervention?

 

[Todjaeger]

You are right, point well taken.


The past week has been full of hijacking incidents (eight to be precise), with the one about the Saudi super tanker being the most alarming. I read that the owners of the ship negotiate for the ransom. Is this how they usually deal with these cases or has there been armed intervention in the past? I know it is much more safe to pay the ransom rather than to jeopardize the entire ship with a firefight but if anyone knows of such a case please mention it.

Could there be a similarity between terrorists in Middle East and the western intervention and the current crisis with the pirates? I mean, the War in Terror has been challenged by many pacifists as well by Eastern-bloc countries. Could this be the begin of a "War on Pirates"?

Also, I would like to know about the position of the United Nations upon the matter. UN operates in Somalia and in other SE African countries so I guess UN vessels will be using those waters a lot. Has the Security Council or the IMO officially authorized an intervention?

At times, there have been armed interventions. IIRC there was a French commando unit which had boarded a vessel earlier this year. There was also an announcement from earlier today about the Indian Navy sinking a suspected pirate 'mothership'. News is available here.

As for the use of UN ships... The UN has no armed forces, so it has no ships to deploy. What could be used would be naval vessels of UN members. At present there are a number of naval vessels in the area, in part due to piracy. There are vessels of the US Navy (and elements of the 5th Fleet...) as well as a Canadian (supporting a UN relief effort) ship and others.

However, even with a number of naval vessels in the area, it is difficult to provide security. Something in excess of 20,000 ships transit the Horn of Africa each year. Unless each vessel if provided an escort, the security of all of them cannot be guaranteed. Particularly in light of the chaotic situation in Somalia which lacks central authority, as well as the tactics used.

Perhaps with the loss of the 'mothership' piracy will decrease. Another possible tactic, would be to monitor the contacts on land, to trace back to which vessels at sea are involved with piracy. Then again, easiser said than done.

-Cheers

 

[swerve]

Perhaps with the loss of the 'mothership' piracy will decrease.
-Cheers

There are thought to be at least two others operating in the Gulf of Aden, & there must be at least one operating to the south-east. The Sirius Star could not have been taken by small boats operating without support.