A continued downward trend in Somali piracy has prompted leading shipping organisations to reduce the geographic boundaries of the ‘High Risk Area’ (HRA) for piracy in the Indian Ocean, which will apply from September 1.
In broad terms, the changes will reduce the HRA boundaries to the Yemeni and Somali territorial seas and Exclusive Economic Zones in its eastern and southern reaches.
The organisations – which include Bimco, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Intercargo, Intertanko and OCIMF - will also take a comprehensive new approach to assessing international maritime security threats to allow shipowners and operators to fully gauge the risk of voyages worldwide. This second step is expected to be completed by December 31.
The HRA was created at the height of the Somali piracy threat in 2010 to show shipowners, operators, and seafarers where pirates operated and where extra vigilance was required to avoid attacks.
Subsequent updates have reflected the changing nature of threats in the region as well as the existence of more severe security threats, such as piracy off West Africa, necessitating a change in how industry assesses such dangers to shipping.
“The security landscape is constantly evolving, and as new security threats have emerged or intensified outside the Indian Ocean, it has become clear the HRA is outdated and misleading,” said Guy Platten, ICS secretary general.
“At the height of the crisis the HRA was essential in raising awareness of the Somali pirate threat and the need to apply mitigation measures, but it has essentially served its purpose in protecting crews and vessels in the region. Now our attention must shift to ensure we cover all maritime security threats around the globe so we continue to protect the lives of our seafarers and keep global trade moving.”
The next logical step was to develop a global, threat-based concept that captured how ships of various types, size, nationality and ownership faced different risk levels, Bimco secretary general and CEO, David Loosley, added.