Modern Maritime Piracy: Countermeasures and Preventive Actions

by the Greek Shipping Industry

K.Giziakis, K. Bountri

Department of Maritime Studies

University of Piraeus

Contents- Presentation structurePart I:

Theoretical Approacho Introductiono Piracy attackso Causeso Pirates’ Modus

Vivendio Anti-piracy measureso Piracy Costo Piracy in West Africa

Part II:Experimental Methodo Greek Shipping

Industryo Methodology of

researcho Study results

Effectiveness of anti-piracy measures

Measures implemented by Greek Shipping

Part I: Theoretical Approach

Introduction• Piracy can be traced back in time to the age of maritime

exploration of mankind.• Piracy definition by the International Maritime Bureau.• 22.000 vessels transit (yearly) through High Risk Areas.• Hotspots:

Indonesia SomaliaNigeriaBangladeshMalaysia

Responsible for the 59% globally reported piracy

attacks

Causes of Piracy• General conditions:

Low economic growth. Poverty. State/Governments unable to deal with such phenomena.

• Somalia:Average Somalian earns $600 per year.Main bread-winning activity: fishing.However, illegal fishing by foreign trawlers on the

seaboard reduces the fish stock.Toxic and chemical dumping off the coast of Somalia leads

to the ecosystem’s disruption and fish stock erosion.

Pirates’ Modus Vivendi • Monsoon/season-dependent “job”

From March until June From October to December

• “Mother Vessels” High-speed skiffs (up to 25 knots)• Each attacking group is composed of 6-8 persons.• Attacks take place mainly in the cover of twilight.• Their armament includes:

AK-47 assault riffles RPG-7 rocket launchers Semi-automatic weapons

High Season

Anti-Piracy Measures• The necessity of European participation 20% of all

vessels fly the European flag.EU NAVFOR (responsible for Operation

“ATALANTA”)Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA)

• Company’s measures before the voyage.• Measures upon entering High-Risk Areas.• Ship’s measures:

Enhanced bridge protection.Visual contact with surrounding waters. Increased vessel’s speed.Razor wire, water spray, foam monitor, CCTV, citadel,

armed or unarmed security

Somali-based Piracy cost (2012)

(source: Ocean beyond piracy)

€4.6 billion

Gulf of Guinea• 28 incidents in 2013. 58 attacks in 2012.• Most of the reports seem not to be reported.• The Gulf of Guinea is a major route for oil tankers.• The pirates’ income comes from oil theft.• The stolen cargo will be sold in the black market.• Violent attacks happen, even if the ships have armed

security on them.• Poverty/Corruption/Governments’ inability to control

their territory.• West Africa Governments have not welcomed the idea

of western naval patrols.

Part II: Experimental Method

The Greek Shipping Industry

• 1st in EU, concerning gross tonnage.

• 7th globally, concerning gross tonnage.

• 7.000-8.000 vessels transit through High Risk Areas.

• More than 21 ships owned by Greek Shipping Companies have been hijacked.

Methodology of Research

• 32 Greek Shipping Companies were asked …via questionnaires.

• Examining: Effectiveness of anti-piracy measures. Measures already in effect/applied in the Company.

• The scale was:

Not Effective Maybe Effective Effective Very Effective Extremely

Effective

Introductory ElementsBased on the results of this survey:

• 66% of the Participants had more than 6 years experience in the maritime industry.

• The majority of the Companies have up to 15 vessels.

• 43% of the Companies owned bulk carriers and another 43% owned tankers.

• The average fleet’s age for the 60% of the Companies was between 4-10 years.

• Most of the Companies had been founded before 1980.

• The 85% of the Participants’ vessels transit through High-Risk Areas (27 maritime companies).

• 40% of them have been subjected of piracy attack or attempt.

Greek Shipping rates the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures

• The most effective measures were: To avoid high risk areas. Naval forces to destroy pirate skiffs. Armed security. Crew training.

• Effective measures: Risk assessment Anti-piracy plan at the office. Registration with naval forces. Designation and use of citadel. Participation of vessel in a convoy system.

• The following measures are considered as a good protection:Vessel’s freeboard more than 10 meters.Use of water cannons.Enhanced bridge protection.Use of razor/barbed wire as a fence.Maneuvering practices.Increasing vessel’s speed.

Greek Shipping rates the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures

• The majority regards the following as inadequate measures: Closed circuit television (CCTV). Blinding / dazzle weapons. Dogs onboard. Unarmed security. To enhance the International Legal Framework. To assist Somalia in setting-up a functional

Government.

Greek Shipping rates the effectiveness of anti-piracy measures

Measures already applied in Greek Companies

Opinion on the future status of the situation in high-risk areas

A few last comments• Somali-based piracy attacks have significantly

dropped mainly due to: Armed security personnel Active military presence

However the threat still exists.

• Piracy will become extinct through international assistance for the region’s economic development and stability;

Not through dealing with each individual attack or hijack on its own basis.

Conclusions • The Greek Shipping Industry appears to fully implement all

suggested piracy counter-measures, giving priority to:Risk assessment.Anti-piracy Plan prior to the voyage.Armed security personnel.

• With the majority believing that the maritime piracy situation wil remain the same, their credo seems to be:

“Better safe than sorry”

Food for further thought (taking into consideration the increased piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea): “ Where does the

international community want to fight Piracy, on land or at sea?”

Thank you!