Global's BMP - Section 2
Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships Worldwide
Pirates and armed robbers are known to conduct attacks from small fast craft and skiffs, sometimes launched from motherships, which are easier to operate in relatively calm sea conditions. It should be noted that in general, the calmer the sea state, the greater the risk of attack.
Piracy and armed robbery most often occurs in the areas described on the following admiralty maritime security charts:
- The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) – Q6099 (see Annex A)
- The Gulf of Guinea (GoG) – Q6114 (see Annex B)
- SE Asia (SEA ) – Q6112, Q6113 (see Annex C)
The areas covered by the charts should not be regarded as exhaustive – piracy and armed robbery is a dynamic International crime which may affect other areas. In the event of piracy and armed robbery emerging as a persistent threat in other regions, this guidance will be updated accordingly. The industry website www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org should be viewed for the latest regional guidance.
These charts provide guidance including details of information sharing and voluntary reporting and, should be used in conjunction with this guidance. Notices to Mariners will advise of changes.
The charts also provide details of Maritime Security Voluntary Reporting Areas (VRAs) and reporting and registration requirements which ships should adhere to. This ensures that military forces in the region are aware of the ship’s passage plan, and its vulnerability to attack.
The latest information on locations within a VRA where pirates are likely to operate can be obtained from the sources listed in the annexes prior to completing the threat and risk assessments (see section 4). It is also important ships are prepared to respond at short notice to avoid attack when information is provided by navigational warnings (Navtex), Inmarsat Safety Net Broadcasts and/or Naval/ Military forces.
Information is also available through International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC), which is an independent, not for profit and non-governmental agency providing a 24-hour manned service to shipmasters and ship owners to report any incident of piracy and armed robbery occurring anywhere in the world.
Joint War Committee Listed Area
The insurance community lists an area of perceived enhanced risk in the region. Ships entering the area would need to notify their insurers and additional insurance premiums may apply. The Joint War Committee (JWC) comprises underwriting representatives from both Lloyd’s and the International Underwriting Association representing the interests of those who write marine hull war business in the London market. The geographic limits of all JWC listed areas can be found on their website: www.lmalloyds.com/lma/jointwar.