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20 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • SEPTEMBER 2014 SECURITY UPDATE W ith progress being made against piracy off Soma- lia, it seems that other maritime security is- sues are becoming top line issues for shipowners. The Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI), is a global focal point for maritime security matters, and is well placed to highlight the current maritime security concerns, those which are over the horizon and the initiatives which are being rolled out to counter the threats and mitigate the risks. While there has been a degree of con- tainment of Indian Ocean piracy, the issue is still a key one for the industry – and while there are other problems elsewhere, it remains that owners and operators should still be sure that they are protecting the seafarers, cargoes and vessels in the High Risk Area. However, while there should be no resting on laurels or too much self-con- gratulation – it is important to recognize that a triumvirate of responses has done so much to improve maritime security. Improvements in self-protection through Best Management Practices (BMP), the provision of armed guards and the international naval presence have all combined to improve the dreadful situa- tion. While the three solutions remain in place, then it seems likely that the piracy problem can be contained. So it is that we can turn attention to other problems and other areas of risk. From the piracy perspective there are not only other hotspots to consider, but unique challenges in each. Off Nigeria, and across the Gulf of Guinea, there is a still a major security problem. Vessels are being hit by pirates and hit hard. However, this problem is further compounded by the lack of re- sponse – while most owners do enact measures akin to BMP, there are seri- ous concerns regarding the use of armed guards and the capabilities of local na- vies to contain and counter the threat. This means it is almost impossible to apply the factors which have stemmed Somali piracy off West Africa, and be- cause of this there are heightened mari- time security concerns. At the moment Nigerian security efforts are seemingly hampered by an unedifying local spat between the Nigerian navy and the po- lice. One claims pre-eminence in con- trol, while the other has been placing guards on vessels. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the political infi ghting, it is the seafar- ers, owners, charterers who are suffering and there needs to be an urgent solution sought and provided. While the problems are set to continue off West Africa is has been hugely con- cerning to note the rise in piracy attacks around the Malacca Straits, Singapore, Indonesia and anchorages in the region. As a result of these attacks SAMI re- cently urged all owners and masters to exercise caution when vessels transit or operate in the area. According to reports this current SE Asian piracy spike is based on a very SAMIAMI On Top Line Security Concerns BY STEVEN JONES, MARITIME DIRECTOR, THE SECURITY ASSOCIATION FOR THE MARITIME INDUSTRY (SAMI) MR #9 (18-25).indd 20 9/3/2014 9:48:59 AM
