The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently gathering news items for major features on the security threats posed to our maritime heritage
Ours
is an island nation wholly dependent upon our maritime industry and
some 90+% of the world's goods are carried by sea safely and in an
environmentally friendly way. Yet it only hits the headlines when there
is some form of tragedy ... oil spill, wreck or piracy. We intend to do
our best to remedy this lack of good news and shall be including a
series of reports on the importance of our marine industry within the
next edition of the Parliamentary Yearbook.
One of the major
aspects is of course security ... not simply piracy but vessel recovery,
port and vessel security, risk assessment, crew training etc. Within
the reports there will also be pieces from other organisations involved
in maritime affairs including broking and chartering; marine resource
management; marine biology; offshore renewables etc.
In February
David Cameron urged delegates at the London Conference on Somalia to
“keep up the pressure on pirates”. The Conference reiterated our
determination to eradicate piracy, noting that the problem requires a
comprehensive approach on land as well as at sea. Concern was expressed
that hostages in Somalia are being held longer and with more use of
violence and welcomed the work of the Contact Group on Piracy off the
Coast of Somalia. Delegates also welcomed the success of international
military efforts and remained committed to such efforts with robust
rules of engagement and sufficient force generation. They called for
full implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the adoption of
an Exclusive Economic Zone. We shall be reviewing progress including the
Piracy Conference in the UAE in June.
Naval forces and the
shipping industry succeeded in halving the number of successful
hijackings (to 25 in 2011 from 47 in 2010) despite an increase in hijack
attempts (to 151 in 2011 from 127 in 2010). But both need resources,
commitment and perseverance to defeat and eradicate Somali piracy as
opposed to simply deterring and repressing it.
At the end of
2011 The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Mike
Penning MP, said in written statement to the House:
“The rise in
the number of incidents involving pirates in certain parts of the world
has highlighted the need to ensure UK-flagged vessels are able to
adequately protect themselves against such threats. Evidence shows that
ships with armed guards are less likely to be attacked and taken for
ransom and the House will be aware that the Prime Minister confirmed
last month that the Government now recognises the use of private armed
guards as an option to protect UK registered ships and their crews from
acts of piracy.
“I am therefore today, publishing interim
guidance to shipping companies on the use of armed guards onboard UK
flagged ships. This guidance covers, amongst other things, the factors
to be included in the risk assessment, advice on selecting a private
security company, and a requirement for the shipping company to produce a
counter-piracy plan and submit a copy to my Department.
“A
private security company (PSC) employed to put armed guards onboard UK
ships will require authorisation from the Home Office for possession of
any prohibited firearms as defined in the Firearms Act 1968 (as
amended). Checks will be carried out by the Home Office and Police into
the PSC and its personnel before an authorisation is granted.”
The
guidance to shipping companies, and the Home Office process for
authorising the possession of prohibited firearms, are both interim and
will be reviewed within 12 months so that they reflect continuing
national and international work to ensure high standards in the
provision of armed guards in the maritime domain.
Over the course
of the next twelve months, and with the assistance of companies
involved in maritime security, the Parliamentary Information Office of
the Parliamentary Yearbook will report on the success of the measures as
this becomes evident.
This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.