Global's BMP - Annex A

Western Indian Ocean Region

General

This annex covers piracy and armed robbery in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region i.e. types of attack and voluntary reporting processes. Admiralty Maritime Security chart Q6099 describes reporting and routing recommendations, and areas of heightened risk.

The geography of the region is diverse and ranges from narrow choke points such as the Bab al-Mandeb (BAM) Straits and the Strait of Hormuz to the wide-open ocean of the Somali basin. Each area presents different challenges and threats will vary.

Attacks on ships and seafarers have taken place throughout the region.

Region-specific guidance for the WIO region is provided in BMP 5.

Joint War Committee Listed Area

The insurance community lists an area of perceived enhanced risk in the region. The geographic limits of all JWC listed areas can be found on their website: www.lmalloyds.com/lma/jointwar.

Maritime Security Transit Corridor

The Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC) is a military established corridor upon which naval forces focus their presence and surveillance efforts. The MSTC is shown on Admiralty Maritime Security chart Q6099.

It is recommended that vessels use the MSTC to benefit from the military presence and surveillance.

Industry Releasable Threat Assessments and Bulletins

EUNAVFOR and CMF produce regular Industry Releasable Threat Assessments (IRTA) to inform risk management decision making for companies operating merchant ships transiting through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden (GoA), Gulf of Oman (GoO) and the Western Indian Ocean. The IRTAs are complimented by Industry Releasable Threat Bulletins (IRTB), also produced by EUNAVFOR and CMF, which cover specific events and reflect the dynamic nature of the operating environment. They are a vital resource to ensure the safety of ships in the region, and should be fully considered as part of the risk assessment.

Registration and Reporting

UKMTO is the first point of contact for ships in the region. The day-to day interface between Masters and naval/military forces is provided by UKMTO, which tallks to merchant ships and liaises directly with MSCHOA and naval commanders at sea and ashore. Merhcant ships are strongly encouraged to regularly send reports to UKMTO.

MSCHOA is the planning and coordination centre for EU Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR) MSCHOA encourages companies to register their ship’s movements before entering the HRA and if participating in the group transit system via their website www.mschoa.org.

The MSCHOA and UKMTO voluntary registration and reporting scheme in the WIO has proven extremely effective. It is important that reporting procedures are followed in order for military forces to monitor and give guidance at short notice on threats in the region. Ship reporting is the major indicator to MSCHOA on the level of implementation of protective measures.