8 October 2015: JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM GLOBAL SHIPPING & OIL INDUSTRIES

Vigilance still crucial as piracy High Risk Area in the Indian Ocean reduced

Organisations representing the global shipping and oil industry have announced that the size of the ‘High Risk Area’ for piracy in the Indian Ocean has been reduced and issued new advice to merchant ship operators.

This reduction to the High Risk Area is in response to the ongoing containment of pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean, but a group of shipping and oil industry organisations (BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Intercargo, INTERTANKO and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) stressed that a serious threat remains and that correct reporting and vigilance remains crucial.

The reduction of the High Risk Area takes full account of recent shipping industry experience, and follows extensive consultation with governments through the diplomatic Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, and military naval forces, including NATO, Combined Maritime Forces and EU NAVFOR, which continue to provide vital protection to shipping. 

The new industry advice, which takes effect from 1 December, changes that currently contained in the latest edition of Best Management Practices for Protection against Somali Based Piracy (BMP 4), which is jointly produced by the industry group.    

The amendment to BMP 4 that relates to this issue can be downloaded via each shipping organisations’ website (as can BMP4).

In summary: 

• The area previously classified as “high risk” now forms only a part of  the area called the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA)
• Ships entering the VRA must still register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) and report to the United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) to be monitored during transit;
• Pre-transit risk assessments should take into account the latest information from both the Voluntary Reporting Area and High Risk Area.   

The industry associations further emphasised that in view of the continuing high risk of pirate attack, shipping companies must continue to maintain full compliance with the BMP and be vigilant in their voluntary reporting on piracy incidents, sighting of potential pirates, and any suspicious activity – as this provides crucial intelligence on risk levels in the area.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Contact details for the industry associations: 

BIMCO
Gemma Wilkie, Communications Director 
Tel: +45 44 366836                
Email: gw@bimco.org 

ICS
Debra Munford (Elaborate Communications)
Tel +44 (0) 1296 682356
Email: dmunford@elabor8.co.uk

INTERTANKO
Bill Box, Senior Manager, External Relations   
and Communications & Marketing
Tel: +44 (0)20 7977 7023
Email: bill.box@intertanko.com

INTERCARGO
Xianyong (Joe) Zhou, Operations Manager
Tel: +44 20 7977 7029
Email: xianyong.zhou@intercargo.org

OCIMF
Russell Pegg, Security Adviser
Tel: +44 (0) 207 654 1202
Email: russell.pegg@ocimf.com

About the Round Table of international shipping associations

The Round Table comprises international shipping associations: BIMCO, ICS, INTERTANKO and Intercargo. Its mission is to work together to serve, represent and advance the international shipping industry.

Its goals are:

• To act in concert to avoid duplication on issues of consensus, where the combined effort of the Round Table can exceed the sum of the individual efforts.
• Present the industry’s arguments in a clear, co-ordinated, consistent and unambiguous manner
• Enhance political and public awareness of the essential role of shipping in world trade
• Encourage a positive and respected response to the industry on the part of society at large
• Communicate the performance of the industry.
• Provide guidance to the industry on relevant topical issues.
• Develop measures for credible and effective self-regulation within the industry whilst promoting the case for a proper balance between regulation and self-regulation
• Support the principle of international rather than regional or unilateral regulation
• Advance quality in shipping, and the universal commitment  to maritime safety and environmental responsibility
• Ensure that shipping provides a challenging and rewarding career for persons of commitment, initiative and enthusiasm.
• Promote the shipping industry as an attractive employer    

About the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)

OCIMF is the foremost authority on the safe and environmentally responsible operation of oil tankers, terminals and offshore support vessels, promoting continuous improvement in standards of design and operation. Its remit now covers tankers, barges, offshore support vessels and terminals and its advice extends to issues like shipping in ice and large-scale piracy.