Maersk reviews piracy policy

Maersk reviews piracy policy    A.P. Moller ' Maersk Group said it is reviewing its internal piracy policy in the wake of the attack on its containership Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia. But is asking for more to be done by the international community to combat piracy.
   “Piracy is a threat to important international trade lanes and therefore an international security issue,” the Danish group said. “While the naval presence in the Gulf of Aden has achieved some success in deterring attacks there, the pirates still remain a threat to crews and vessels in the area and elsewhere.'
   'We back proposals such as establishing a regional maritime sea patrol to protect vessels in the area from piracy attacks. The nations in the region with the support of the international community must address this problem,' said S'ren Skou A.P. Moller ' Maersk Group partner and Maersk Tankers chief executive officer. 'We also call on the international community to establish a transit corridor, so vessels can safely call ports in Kenya and Tanzania.
   'We have expanded the area off the coast of Somalia where only vessels with a certain freeboard or capable of sailing certain speeds are allowed to enter,' he added. 'Vessels should spend as little time in the area as possible, and while in the area sail at maximum speed.”
   Maersk said it is also examining defensive measures to further boost security onboard our vessels such as making access to the vessel more difficult, though it said for security reasons and the safety of its crews it did not want to provide any specific details on those measures. It said it also gives detailed instructions and procedures to its crews prior to sailing in the area, which includes reviewing safety plans onboard before entering into the area.
   The Maersk Alabama continues to be docked in Mombasa, Kenya, where it was destined when it was attacked earlier this month. Its captain, Richard Phillips, was held hostage for several days until Navy snipers killed his captors.
   Maersk made the announcement as the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations prepared to hold a hearing on piracy off the coast of Somalia on Thursday where John Clancey, chairman of Maersk Inc., and Phillips are slated to testify along with Stephen D. Mull, acting assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs.
   “The problem of piracy cannot and should not be solved by the A.P. Moller ' Maersk Group or the shipping industry only. It must be addressed by the international community,” the company said. “The group must insist that it is possible for seafarers to do their jobs in a safe and peaceful environment; ensuring the transportation of traded goods around the world.
   “This is why the group maintains its policy of not arming crews or allowing armed guards onboard its vessels. Weapons onboard could lead to a dangerous escalation and raise a number of multijurisdictional legal issues. However, in certain instances when force protection is government mandated, the group will work with and comply with government instructions,” it added.