[080211.EN.SEA] United Nations Appoints Advisor For Anti-Piracy Solution

THE United Nations has appointed a special advisor to put forward an anti-piracy solution, reports Tanker Operator. The adviser will hold meetings with the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the shipping community and seafarer organisations to recommend ways to suppress piracy. "A co-ordinated international effort is needed," said UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. He said that Somalia had a very weak government and support was needed for the younger Somali generation to deter them from turning to piracy. "Piracy is a global menace; we need to confront it with a strategy that focuses on deterrence, security and rule of law of development," he said. "The situation off the coast of Somalia is completely unacceptable. The violence and hostage taking are distorting the Somali economy and disrupting shipping lanes that are vital to people around the world," said Mr Ban. Said IMO secretary general Efthimios Mitropoulos: "In the past 12 months alone, there have been 286 piracy-related incidents off the coast of Somalia. They have resulted in 67 hijacked ships, with 1,130 seafarers on board - while, at present, 714 seafarers are being held for ransom on board 30 ships scattered at various points of the country's extensive coastline." Mr Mitropoulos, at the launch of the IMO's World maritime Day theme for 2011 - Piracy: Orchestrating the Response, has put forward a six-point action plan conceived by the IMO:(1) Increase political pressure to secure the release of all the hostages; (2) Review and improve IMO guidelines to administrations and seafarers and promote compliance with industry best management practices and the recommended preventive, evasive and defensive measures that vessels should follow; (3) Promote a greater level of support from and co-ordination with the navies operating in the region; (4) Promote anti-piracy co-ordination and co-operation procedures between and among states, regions, organisations and industry; (5) Assist states to build capacity in pirate-infested regions worldwide to deter, interdict and bring to justice those who commit acts of piracy and armed robbery against vessels; (6) Provide care for those attacked or hijacked by pirates and for their families. IMO said that during 2011, it will focus on promoting further co-operation between and among states, regions and organisations in reducing the risk of attacks on ships through a variety of mechanisms including information-sharing; coordination of military and civil efforts; and development and implementation of regional initiatives, such as the IMO-led Djibouti Code of Conduct. In response to the issue of arming ships, Mr Mitropoulos said that the IMO recommends that vessels not carry arms on board, but armed guards are being carried with the consent of the ship's flag state.  Source : HKSG, 08.02.11.