Container lines CMA CGM, Mediterranean Shipping Co., Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd have met to discuss the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and West Africa.
At the meeting, the four carriers agreed the situation has improved, particularly as the result of a naval presence in the Gulf of Aden and creation of legal frameworks to support prosecution of pirates.
“Although we have seen a decline in piracy activity over the past year, piracy continues to be a concern for the shipping industry, and therefore we still need our piracy consensus meetings where we can cooperate on responses to the threat to ensure the safety and security of our seafarers,” the shipping lines said in a joint statement.
The cooperation among the four carriers includes exchange of information on security measures, piracy policies and procedures and coordination with other stakeholders. They drew attention in particular to the need for risk assessment to advance a revised “Best Management Practice” for dealing with the piracy threat. They also said they continue to support proposals for capacity building in the form of a regional coast guard and measures to address the root causes of the piratical behavior.
