1 Whilst, during the latter part of 2006, there
was a much-welcome significant drop in the number of acts of piracy
and armed robbery against ships reported in waters off the coast of
Somalia, there has, since the beginning of the current year, been
a worrying increase in the number of reported incidents.
2 The hijacking of ships and demands for the payment
of ransoms for their release and for the release of their crews and
cargo appear to have become a common pattern, with the perpetrators
having also been engaged in attacks on, and seizure of, ships carrying
food aid to Somalia under the auspices of the United Nations World
Food Programme.
3 Whilst most of the incidents have reportedly
occurred at distances ranging up to 200 nautical miles off the Somali
coast (suggesting a pattern of well organized and co-ordinated activities),
there have also been cases of attacks that have taken place in Somalia’s
territorial sea. The actual extent of the incidents is very difficult
to gauge and there may have been several other unreported cases.
4 In view of the situation, as described above,
and the impact any act of piracy and armed robbery may have on human
life, the safety of navigation and the environment, Member Governments
and international organizations concerned are invited, as a matter
of urgency, to bring this circular to the attention of shipowners,
ship operators and managers, shipping companies, shipmasters and all
other relevant parties advising them to take any action deemed appropriate
in the circumstances and, in particular, to comply with the recommendations
in:
-
.1 MSC/Circ.622/Rev.1 – Recommendations
to Governments for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery
against ships; and
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.2 MSC/Circ.623/Rev.3 – Guidance to shipowners
and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing
acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships,
noting that, as a result of IMO bringing the issue to the attention
of the United Nations Security Council, its President, in a statement
issued on 15 March 2006, included the following:
“The
Security Council takes note of resolution
A.979(24) adopted on 23 November 2005 at the twenty-fourth
session of the International Maritime Organization biennial Assembly,
concerning the increasing incidents of piracy and armed robbery against
ships in waters off the coast of Somalia. The Council encourages Member
States whose naval vessels and military aircraft operate in international
waters and airspace adjacent to the coast of Somalia to be vigilant
to any incident of piracy therein and to take appropriate action to
protect merchant shipping, in particular the transportation of humanitarian
aid, against any such act, in line with relevant international law.
… The Council further urges co-operation among all States, particularly
regional States, and active prosecution of piracy offences.”
5 This circular is issued following consultations
between the Secretary-General and the Acting Chairman of the Maritime
Safety Committee.