BIMCO URGES UNITED NATIONS TO FOCUS ON PIRACY

BIMCO URGES UNITED NATIONS TO FOCUS ON PIRACY    The Baltic and International Maritime Council has sent a letter to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to encourage countries to crack down on piracy and armed attacks against merchant vessels.
   Pirate attacks have become more frequent and violent in recent years in ports, shipping channels and on the open seas, especially in developing regions of the world.
   “This increase in the frequency and the ferocity of piracy attacks indicates that the situation is worsening, as many coastal states are unable or ill equipped to counter this menace,” said Michael Everard, president of BIMCO, in his letter to the UN. “Moreover, in ports where security is lax or virtually non-existent, there is a risk that ships can be used in terrorist attacks.”
   BIMCO, based in Bagsvaerd, Denmark,'represents about 2,700 member shipping companies, which control a fleet of 490 million deadweight tons or 70 percent of the world’s merchant fleet.
   The group recommended “preventative measures” to the UN and its members:
   * Allocate sufficient manpower in the form of law enforcement personnel, empowered and equipped to protect against piracy and armed attacks on vessels.
   * Institute national legislation that addresses these specific crimes and enforce appropriate punishment of perpetrators.
   * Create an environment of partnership and cooperation involving coastal states, flag states, and the shipping industry in confronting these risks.
   * Introduce stricter security measures around terminals and installations including patrols around all vessels entering and exiting, at anchor or lying alongside in a port as well as restricted access to port personnel only.
   “These arrangements, made to deter and frustrate efforts of pirates/terrorists, would help to alleviate other port security problems including stowaways and drug smuggling,” Everard said. “Owners of ships as well as ports and terminals would benefit.”
   BIMCO also sent a copy of the letter to William A. O’Neil, secretary general of the International Maritime Organization.