RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO the provisions of resolution
A.1026(26) on Piracy and armed robbery against ships in waters
off the coast of Somalia,
RECALLING FURTHER that the Committee, in response to resolution A.1002(25) on Piracy and armed
robbery against ships in waters off the coast of Somalia, and the
discussions of the issue within the UN Security Council, approved
revised recommendations to Governments and guidance to shipowners
and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing
acts of piracy and armed robbery against shipsfootnote,
NOTING WITH APPRECIATION the development by industry organizations
of specific advice in relation to the situation in waters off the
coast of Somalia and, in particular, the development and publication
of Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
and in the Arabian Sea Areafootnote,
NOTING ALSO that the UN Security Council, through resolution
1950(2010) on the situation in Somalia, welcomed the revision by IMO
of its recommendations and guidance on preventing and suppressing
piracy and armed robbery against ships; underlined the importance
of implementing such recommendations and guidance by all stakeholders,
including the shipping industry; and urged States, in collaboration
with the shipping and insurance industries, and the IMO, to continue
to develop and implement avoidance, evasion and defensive best practices
and advisories to take when under attack or when sailing in the waters
off the coast of Somalia,
FURTHER NOTING that the UN General Assembly through paragraph
95 of resolution 65/37 on Oceans and the law of the sea, has invited
the Assembly to "consider adopting a resolution on commitments to
Best Management Practices to avoid, deter or delay acts of piracy",
DESIRING to ensure that shipowners, shipping companies,
ship operators, masters and crews take all appropriate and recommended
measures to protect their ships and those on board from pirates and
armed robbers,
RECOGNIZING that it is the responsibility of flag States
to ensure that ships entitled to fly their flag implement measures
to protect themselves against attacks by pirates,
RECOGNIZING ALSO that measures of avoidance, evasion, deterrence
and delay remain the best practices of self-protection against piracy,
RECOGNIZING FURTHER that, inter alia, effectively
implementing the Best Management Practices significantly decreases
the risk of successful pirate attacks,
1. STRONGLY URGES all those concerned to take
action to ensure that as a minimum and as recommended in the Best
Management Practices:
-
(a) ships’ masters receive updated information
before and during sailing through the defined High Risk Area;
-
(b) ships register with the Maritime Security
Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) and report to United Kingdom Maritime
Trade Operations (UKMTO) Dubai; and
-
(c) ships effectively implement all recommended
preventive, evasive and defensive measures;
2. INVITES Member States to encourage ships flying
their flag to implement the Best Management Practices while sailing
in the defined High Risk Area;
3. URGES Member States and non-governmental organizations
in consultative status to bring this resolution to the attention of
all parties concerned.