05 Measures in the fight against piracy

Numerous initiatives and laws at international level, as well as technical developments and facilities designed to prevent attacks by pirates, are achieving success. Besides the government and the judiciary, shipping companies and the crew can also minimise the risk of a pirate attack.

Greater international cooperation

Since 1982, the Maritime Navigation Committee in UNCTAD has devoted its attention to all aspects of maritime fraud and piracy. The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) subsequently commissioned the IMO to call upon member states to report pirate attacks and to publish regular reports on cases of piracy.

A number of measures have been taken in recent years in the multinational fight against piracy. These include reporting requirements before arrival in port, the introduction of the ISPS Code to ensure the identification of stolen vessels, and the escorting of vessels passing through the Straits of Gibraltar by NATO warships.

Military support in the fight against piracy

Since the first attempted pirate attack on a cruise liner, pirates have also been pursued by international military forces. Numerous missions by the US Navy clearly show that the fight against piracy can only prove successful if that struggle is viewed as a joint task by the community of states.

Support by non-governmental organisations

In the meantime, various non-governmental associations have also turned their attention to this subject in addition to the state organisations. Those involved include in particular the IMB, BIMCO, P&I insurers, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), shipping company associations, and the Comité Maritime International.

Technical developments

In recent years, the security equipment industry has presented a number of technical solutions (some more, some less sophisticated) to protect vessels and crews against pirate attacks. This includes the following:

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  High-security containers to protect the cargo
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  Highly sensitive radar systems which can detect approaching pirates at close range
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  Floodlights to illuminate the vessel
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  Special night-vision equipment and heat cameras
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  Various acoustic and visual alarm systems
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  Acoustic defence systems (LRAD)
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  Satellite-aided tracking systems, which enable shipping companies to keep track of their vessels
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  Air surveillance (Eye in the Sky)
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  Unmanned remote-controlled robot ships for patrols

An important tool: Risk management

In the past, risks at sea were met with "good seamanship". Trust was placed in the "men" that they would deliver the goods to their destination safe and sound. This basic trust stood the test of centuries but is increasingly coming up against its limits in our modern, complex, highly networked, and extremely technical transport world.

Risk management experts therefore recommend that a risk-based approach using modern risk management principles be taken in addition to traditional seamanship, which still remains the basis of smoothly functioning risk management. Successful risk management means combining statutory regulations and supplementary measures to combat piracy in accordance with the above criteria in an on-board risk management system.

Information on the supplementary measures can be obtained from shipping company associations and shipping organisations. A list of publications and advisory agents can be found in the printed brochure.