This report from UK P&I club, explains why kidnapping for ransom has increased recently in the Gulf of Guinea, and assesses whether this increase will continue. It describes what happens during a kidnap, and provides some insight into the training available for shipping companies and crews. The Gulf of Guinea is currently thought to be the most dangerous region for…
BIMCO, the world’s largest shipping association has appointed Philip Tinsley as its new Head of Maritime Security. Tinsley joined the association in 2015 and assumes his new position after the sad and untimely death of his colleague, Giles Noakes, earlier this year. Before joining BIMCO, Tinsley spent 31 years with the Royal Marine Commandos – an…
The European Union Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS) for the global maritime domain, adopted by the European Council in June 2014, is a joint EU plan to improve the way in which the EU pre-empts and responds to these challenges. It is an overarching maritime security strategy against all challenges from the global maritime domain…
On 5 June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with the State of Qatar. Reports indicate that the move against Qatar is also supported by Yemen, a secondary government in Libya and the Maldives. The group of nations, which also include (apart from the above mentioned), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and…
The Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS), has issued consolidated instructions and Guidelines applicable to Private Ship Security Companies via a new Circular. The content of this Circular intends to provide guidance on several requirements of the Law, and is applicable in cases of submission of an initial application, a supplementary submission after an examination by the Competent Authority,…
There is a marked increase in shipowners opting for kidnap and ransom insurance across Southeast Asia and the Gulf of Aden region because of recent attacks on merchant vessels, executives involved in the deals in Europe and Asia said during the recent Sea Asia conference in Singapore. A total of 20 incidents of piracy and…
The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) is the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia. The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre posted a summary of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asian waters during the first quarter…
