Enhancing Regional Cooperation

Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia

Welcome Aboard !!

July 2009

Enhancing Regional Cooperation


Background / Concerns

concerns about piracy and armed robbery against ships in the 1990s.threats to maritime navigation (safety of life; transport of cargo & energy supplies)economic disruptions.loss of life.rise in operating cost.


Straits of Malacca & Singapore600 Nm stretch of waterways linking the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.

Flanked by 3 littoral States, namely Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Straits used for International Shipping, thus enjoy the rights of transit passage.

Anti-piracy/armed robbery efforts at the bi-lateral level.


Disruption to Commerce …

More than 30% of the world trade and half of the world’s oil shipments pass through the Straits of Malacca & Singapore.

Safe use of sea-lanes is essential to the economic well-being of the countries who are dependent on sea commerce for energy, trade and supplies.


Trends in Vessel Traffic …

1994-2004 : In the Straits of Malacca & Singapore…an increase in volume by 25% & a 60% increase in DWT. (bigger ships !!! – tankers about 47% / containers about 25%)

Projection from 2010 to 2020 : expects up to a 50% increasein the traffic volume. (from 117,000 – 141,000 vessels transiting the Straits)


The Agreement

the ReCAAP-ISC was officially launched on 29 Nov 2006(Singapore)

1st multilateral government-to-government anti-piracy effort in the region.ISC to be setup in Singapore as

an International Organisation (IO) with local staff & overseas secondees.

Mr Yoshiaki Ito & Mr Raymond Lim, Minister forTransport / 2nd Minister for Foreign Affairs


3 Pillars of the ReCAAP

Information Sharing (Article #9)

Capacity Building (Article #14)

Cooperative Arrangements (Article #15)

9 14 15

Inform

ation Sharing

Capacity Building

Coop

erative Arrangemen

t

Key operating principles of ReCAAP ISC :Respect for countries’ sovereignty,effectiveness & transparency.


Key features of the Agreement

Definition of Piracy & Armed Robbery iaw UNCLOS & IMO Code of Practice.ISC/Secretariat to be located at Singapore.Formation of a Governing Council (1 rep/Contracting Party)Governing Council’s decision by consensus.An International Organisation (foreign staff - diplomatic privileges & Immunities).Identification/designation of a Focal Point (1 per Contracting Party)Funding - voluntary contributions from Contracting Parties.Avenues for Co-operations, Mutual assistance, Capacity Building & Co-operative Arrangements.Open for accession by any States.


ReCAAP Focal Points

each ReCAAP signatory designates a Focal Point to be point of contact for the ISCrole of a Focal Point:

manage piracy and armed robbery incidents within its territorial waters/within its jurisdiction.act as point of information exchange with ISCfacilitate its country’s law enforcement investigationsco-ordinate surveillance and enforcement for piracy and armed robbery with neighbouring Focal Points


ISC-Focal Point Concept

Web based Secure Networkvia SSL & VPN

InformationSharing Centre

Focal Point

Focal Point

Focal Point

Focal PointFocal Point

Focal Point

Focal Point

Focal Point


ReCAAP Focal Points

CoastGuard

MarinePolice

Custom(Marine)

PortAuthorities

Navy

ShipOwners

ShipAgencies

ShipRegistry

FisheryAgencies

Focal Point


ISC-Focal Points Network

Japan Coast Guard

Indian Coast Guard Philippines

Coast Guard

Myanmar Navy

Thai Navy

Sri Lankan Navy

Maritime & PortAuthority

Dept ofShipping

Marine Dept

HKMRCC

BeijingMRCC

GICMLTM

Royal BruneiMarine Police

Vietnam Marine Police

Ministry ofPublic Security



With Focal PointsWith Partner OrganisationsWith the Maritime Industry

Joint Piracy & Sea Robbery Conference

Promulgation of quarterly & annual reportson piracy & armed robbery trends and analysis


Partner Organisations/Maritime Industry

International Maritime Organisation (IMO).6 December 2006

Members of the Round TableBIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO & INTERTANKO.

Asian Ship owners’ Forum (ASF).Information Fusion Centre (IFC).Shipping Associations.Shipping Groups/Companies.



Information Sharing Exercises :With Focal Points

via IFN Training module.back-up mode.

With other agencies : Maritime Information Sharing Exercise (MARISX 2009)

Presentation at Forums & Workshops.Joint production of advisory booklets.


Seek areas of mutual interests and benefits.Leverage on each other strength.Bridge operational gaps.

Co-operative Arrangement (Art #15)


Capacity Building (Article #14)

Focal PointsOps Visits to Focal Points.Senior Officer of Focal Point Meetings.Capacity Building Workshops.

Partner Organisations.Sharing of best practices.

Maritime IndustryOrganisation of talks and conferences.Briefings / discussions of trends & analysis.


Capacity Building activitiesThe fundamental need to have “a face” to the emails, phone calls, faxes, etc.

Constant engagements to build relationships … form teams …. enhance network …. establish trust ….


Advisory handbook

Tips on avoiding piracy, robbery and theft :

Be on the alert.Lock and check.Stay off the coast and travel at high

speed.Access control and watch keeping.Illumination of vessel.Reporting of incidents.


Incident Alert …. 12 July 09


News article ….13 July 09


News article ….


Research MethodologyDefinitions:

Piracy: Part VII ; Article 101 of UNCLOSArmed Robbery: IMO’s Code of Practice for investigation of the Crime of Piracy & Armed Robbery against ships.

Matrix-based assessment of incidents:Violence Factor

Types of weapons .Treatment of crew.Number of pirates/robbers involved.

Economic FactorType of property taken.

Level of Significance:Evaluates the significance of each incident based on

its level of violence (V-factor) and the economic loss incurred (E-factor). Category Significance of Incident

CAT 1 Very SignificantCAT 2 Moderately SignificantCAT 3 Less Significant


Part VII-Article 101

Piracy consists of any of the following acts:(a) any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed:

(i) on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft;(ii) against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State;

(b) any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft;(c) any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) or (b).

Definition of Piracy ….


General Trends from 2004-2008

Decrease in total number of incidents in 2008.Largest yearly decrease in number of attempted incidents in 2008 compared to 2005-2007.Increase in number of actual incidents in 2008, mostly occurred in the CAT 2 incidents.Decrease in the CAT 1 incidents in 2008 compared to 2007.Number of CAT 3 incidents remained fairly consistent between 2006-2008.


General Trends (Jan-Jun 2009)

Slight decline in the total number of incident during Jan-Jun 2009 compared to same period in 2005-2008.Decrease occurred mainly in CAT 3 incidents.Significant increase in the number of CAT 2 incidents involving ships whilst underway/making way.Number of CAT1 incidents is fairly consistent.

60 60

38 36 38

1519

11 95

7579

4945 43

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Jan-Jun 2005 Jan-Jun 2006 Jan-Jun 2007 Jan-Jun 2008 Jan-Jun 2009

Period

Num

ber o

f Inc

iden

ts

ActualAttemptedTotal

37

19

4

36

22

2

30

6

2

26

7

3

1916

3

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Category 3 (LessSignificant)

Category 2 (ModeratelySignificant)

Category 1 (VerySignificant)

Significance Level

Num

ber

of In

cide

nts

Jan-Jun 05Jan-Jun 06Jan-Jun 07Jan-Jun 08Jan-Jun 09


Recent concentration of incidents

6 Cases off Pulau Tioman area (South China Sea)

(samples of our reports)


Straits of Malacca & Singapore(2003-2007 & 2008)

CAT 1

CAT 2

CAT 3

Total

2003 2 0 4 6

2004 0 4 10 14

2005 0 0 5 5

2006 0 2 5 7

2007 0 4 14 18

2008 0 3 11 14

Ports & AnchoragesCAT

1CAT

2CAT

3Total

2003 4 4 2 10

2004 9 10 2 21

2005 1 7 0 8

2006 0 5 1 6

2007 1 1 1 3

2008 0 6 0 6

Underway/Making wayTotal

No

16

35

13

13

21

20

• Surge in 2004 (both in ports and at sea, whilst ships were underway.• Introduction of ISCP Code in Jul 2004 and coordinated patrols by littoral States.• Launch of ReCAAP ISC in Nov 2006.


Incidents involving Tug Boats

Date Time Name Of Vessel Flag Location CAT16-Jan-08 1345 MV Gondwana Belize Kakinada OPL 3

19-Jan-08 1145 PU2406 Singapore Karimata Straits 3

30-Apr-08 1330 PU2008 Singapore South of Pulau Tioman 2

27-May-08 0315 Cathay 5, CSF 2301 Singapore Off Helen Mar Reef 3

29-Jun-08 0130 Wecoy 6 Singapore Off Pulau Tioman 2

7-Sep-08 2030 Whale 7 Singapore North of Pulau Tioman 1

8-Sep-08 0523 Kimtrans Echo Singapore Sea off Pulau Sebarok 2

10-Nov-08 2000 Maju Daya 3 Indonesia Off Batu Berhanti 2

14-Nov-08 0150 Sung Thai Lee 3 Malaysia Off Batu Berhanti 2

1-Dec-08 2100 Entebe Star 21 Singapore 7.3nm off Teluk Juara, East of Pulau Tioman 2

19-Feb-09 1430 MLC Nancy 5 & Micyln 3316 Singapore Near Penang 1

31-Mar-09 2120 PU 2414 Singapore 13 nm Southeast of Pulau Aur 2

31-Mar-09 2235 Destiny 3 & Dynaroy No 3 Malaysia Off Pulau Takong Light 2

1-Apr-09 0510 Terus Daya 23 Indonesia 6nm northwest of Pulau Aur 2

6-Apr-09 2359 Astaka Malaysia Off Can Tho 2

7-Apr-09 2035 Prospaq T1 Singapore 60 nm north of Pulau Anambas 1

28-May-09 0200 Topniche 5 Singapore 19.5 nm southwest of Pulau Aur 2


Majority of the incidents occurred while ships were at anchor. (in the hours of darkness.) These were less significant incidents

Incidents occurring while ships were under waywere more likely to be very or moderately significant incidents

Tankers appeared to have been targeted more frequently (mainly whilst at anchor).

General Trends (from 2004 till date)(Observations)

Tugs whilst on towing operations were targeted at sea.


Somalia Coastline: 3898 Km

Piracy off the Horn of Africa



Though outside the Geographicalmandate of the Agreement, theReCAAP ISC, together with its

Contracting Parties are gravelyconcerned with the escalating

situation in the Gulf of Aden & off the Coast of Somalia….

…. as Asian ships and Asian seafarers are not spared the trauma associated with the piracy menace.



Statistics of piracy in 2008• 111 number of reports• 42 hijacked ships• 815 crew taken hostage

Statistics of piracy 2009-(to date)• 126 number of reports• 29 hijacked ships• 472 crew taken hostage



ASIAN SHIPS ATTACKED• 69 attempted• 13 hijacked ships

(3x Hong Kong; 3x Malaysia;2x Thailand; 1x China; 1x Japan; 1x Korea;1x Philippines & 1x Taiwan)


Contributions to HoA developments

Tanzania Meeting (Apr 08)ReCAAP model used in the structuring of the draft MoU.Linkages with Yemen Coast Guard.

Visit by the Hon' Ali Sobhi, Deputy Minister of Transport from Yemen (18 Dec 08)

Shared on infrastructural needs for the setting up of information sharing centre.

Djibouti High level Meeting (Jan 09)Finalisation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct.

Participation in Contact Group-WG1. The Dy Minister of Transport, Yemen


Developments in the HoA

17 States adopted the Djibouti Code of Conduct.9 States signed the Djibouti Code of Conduct.

Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania & Yemen.

Article #8 :3 x Ops/Information Sharing Centers @ Mombasa (Kenya), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) & Sana’a (Yemen)1 x Training Center at Djibouti.

Djibouti Code of Conduct (Jan 2009)


Hijack of MV Sirus Star (VLCC)

VLCC MV SIRUS STAR (Saudi Arabian Flag) with 25 Crew onboardhijacked 450 Nm South East of Kenya on 15 November 2008. She was carrying US$150m worth of oil.Released on 9 January 2009 after ransom has been paid.


1100 TEU Container Ship, MV MAERSK ALABAMA(US Flag) attacked on 9 April 09 at 0500 UTC,

240 Nm (440 Km) SE of Eyl, SomaliaVessel was carrying emergency food relief from

Djibouti to Mombasa, Kenya.

CAPT Richard Phillips held hostage.was rescued by US SEAL on 12 April 09.Somalia pirates killed, 1 arrested.Crew of MV Maersk Alabama fought back,

regained control of the ship.

Hijack of MV Maersk Alabama


Lessons learnt from other seafarers

Increase speed, away from approaching boats.Manoeuvre aggressively, with alteration of courses.Carry out deterrence/preventive measures (eg : Spraying of fire hoses).Maintain high freeboard.Raise alarm.Maintain safety of crew.Report.Buy time.


Being alert / vigilant.

Most of the attacks took place in twilight hours (break of dawn / prior to sunset)Usually approaches the ship from the port quarter.Armed with assault rifles and RPG weapons.Usually have ladders / grapnel to facilitate their boarding.Operate more than 2-4 boats / may have larger ship in the vicinity (mother ship).


Deterrence/preventive measures

Post more lookoutsMaintain good radar/communication watch.Secure the ship, lock-in where possible.Exercise/prepare crew for anti-piracy drills.Operate fire-pump/spray over the ship sides.Rig obstacles.


Voluntary Reporting requirement

Voluntary Reporting Requirements – Provision of PCS.Merchant vessel voluntary reporting schemes are established to increase security, provide anti-piracy support and to maintain the freedom of navigation to all vessels in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

May participate when transiting through the International Recommended / Group transit Corridor :

SPEED

10 knots 01:00Z 04:00Z 15:00Z 18:00Z

12 knots 05:30Z 08:30Z 21:00Z 00:01Z

14 knots 08:30Z 11:30Z 01:00Z 04:00Z

16 knots 11:00Z 14:00Z 05:30Z 08:30Z

18 knots 13:00Z 16:00Z 07:00Z 10:00Z

WEST BOUND TRANSITEntry Point “B”

EAST BOUND TRANSITEntry Point “A”


Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor

As advised by UKMTO; EUNAVFOR; TF 151

Extract from Chart Q6099


Reporting/ Emergency Contact(s)

Primary Emergency ContactUKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation)

Secondary ContactsMSC-HOA (Maritime Security Centre- Horn of Africa).MARLO- Bahrain (Maritime Liaison Office-Bahrain).NATO Shipping Centre.IMB PRC.

Extract from Chart Q6099


Advisory hand book

http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/HOA_OCIMF_piracy_web.pdf

Tips on avoiding piracy, robbery and theft :

Risk Assessment.PreparationConduct during transit of High Risk AreaActions on encountering pirates.Post incident actions and reporting.

Standard Ship’s Message FormatUseful contacts, sources of information


Situation in Somalia / HoAReCAAP supports the UN Resolutions calling States to address the piracy issues off the Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.ReCAAP welcomes the support from the numerous navies who contributed ships to the region to enhance the safety of the commercial fleet. Aside from the US / European nations, the following Asian States have also sent ships :

ChinaIndiaJapanKoreaMalaysiaSingapore


Way ahead ….

Sharing of best practices …Shorten the learning curve.

Invitation to observe some of ReCAAP ISC’s capacity building programmes.

Capacity building workshops.Orientation visits.

Remain engaged to source for areas of mutual interest for collaboration / co-operations.


Have a Jolly Good Day !!

Anything I can clarify ?

18 M&I

FP http://www.recaap.org

Documents

Enhancing Regional Cooperation