IMO ENCOURAGES COUNTRIES TO CRACK DOWN ON CARGO SHIP ATTACKS

IMO ENCOURAGES COUNTRIES TO CRACK DOWN ON CARGO SHIP ATTACKS    The International Maritime Organization is expected to finalize a code this week that will help countries to investigate all types of attacks against cargo ships and to better enable them to prosecute criminals involved in these violent acts.
   While the IMO has used the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea definition of piracy, the London-based maritime group lacked an “approved” definition to cover other types of attacks against ships.
   Industry officials from groups such as the Baltic and International Maritime Council and the International Maritime Bureau have also been concerned about the lack of broad international regulations to address attacks against vessels other than on the high seas.
   It’s estimated that 80 percent of all attacks against vessels occur in ports while at anchor or berths. However, many countries have failed to recognize attacks in their ports because of the potential for bad publicity.
   While retaining the UNCLOS definition of piracy, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, which includes 160 countries and industry organizations, attached a definition of armed robbery against ships.
   “We are most pleased with this wording as it secures that the attention of the IMO will continue to be focused on attacks in ports, representing the highest risk for present-day seafarers,” said Thomas Timlen of BIMCO.
   Attacks against vessels have become increasingly violent in recent years. Of the 294 incidents reported to the IMB between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, about half of the attackers were carrying weapons. Industry analysts fear that these types of attacks are on the rise.
   The new code should help in the investigations of these incidents, and should help to promote the use of bilateral and multilateral agreements between countries to fight these crimes.
   “Shipowners and shipmasters will be pleased to note that the code implores investigators to avoid delaying ships at ports during investigations of attacks, as well as to keep ships free from extra costs that could arise from such delays and/or investigations,” Timlen said.
   Countries are encouraged to ratify UNCLOS and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Navigation (also known as the 1988 Rome Convention). By ratifying the Rome Convention, countries extend their jurisdiction to cover crimes committed on the high seas, even when they do not fall under the UNCLOS piracy definition.
   Meanwhile, governments and shipowners are requested to continue reporting attacks to the IMO or to industry groups that track these incidents.