The International Maritime Organisation has added its support to an industry initiative to tackle the piracy scourge in the Eastern Gulf of Guinea and the daily threats faced by seafarers.
A Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising Nimasa, the Nigerian Navy, the oil industry (represented by OCIMF) and the shipping industry - represented by ICS, Bimco, Intercargo, Intertanko and the Nigerian Shipowners' Association - met at the end of last month to discuss the current situation and how to tackle the problem.
They will focus on national and regional security threats to seafarers and shipping and identify security challenges, gaps and areas for mutual collaboration.
Promoting information sharing, threat awareness and best practice also forms a key element of their mandate.
The initiative has been roundly acknowledged as a significant first step towards strengthened collaboration between Nigeria and industry in increasing maritime security in the region.
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim commented: “I commend the industry's effort to establish an open dialogue with coastal states and for the work undertaken to develop the Best Management Practices (BMP) for West Africa. But I would like to highlight the importance of full application of the measures and reporting procedures contained therein."
