Piracy: Ship owners express worry, seek intervention

Despite re-assurances by the relevant authorities in the Nigerian Maritime industry, European ship-owners have raised concerns about the continued piracy, armed robbery attacks and kidnapping for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), and particularly off the Nigerian territorial waters.

According to the latest International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy report, 33 vessels were boarded and four fired upon in the first three months of 2017 worldwide.
During the same period, of the 27 seafarers kidnapped for ransom, 63 per cent was in the Gulf of Guinea.

In its Global Maritime Security Conclusions adopted 19th June, 2017, the Environment Council recognised the situation as deeply problematic in the Gulf of Guinea.

The continued problems in the Gulf of Guinea create serious concerns about the security of seafarers sailing in that area,” commented Patrick Verhoeven, ECSA Secretary General.
He said, “Maritime insecurity also disrupts trade flows and has a direct impact on the ability of ports to serve as hubs for parts of the continent. A poor security situation also imposes high costs on imports and exports and put jobs and economic activity at risk.

To combat this menace, the association underlined the need for regional states to take ownership and adapt their legal systems in order to fight piracy. The Council also welcomed bilateral initiatives of EU Member States in the region; and advocated the need to coordinate them with ongoing EU initiatives.

Some of the measures ECSA proposed in order to improve the security situation in the Gulf of Guinea included, “The proper protection by coastal states, investigation of the potential use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) by the owners, prosecution of piracy and armed robbery and the establishment of effective judicial systems, good coordination of law enforcement assets and an efficient and well working reporting and coordination system to respond to incidents.

In addition, European ship-owners support initiatives on capacity building and strongly encourage coastal states to take their responsibility and respect their obligations under international law.