Updated Best Management Practices Re Piracy

An updated version (Version 2 dated August 2009) of the Industry Best Management Practices (BMP) re piracy in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia has been released to the shipping industry. The updated BMP are of particular importance and urgency to reach ship owners/operators/masters/crew before the expected end of the monsoons later this month, which is likely to correspond with an increase in piracy attacks.

A number of changes have been incorporated into the new version, based on lessons learned from vessels’ owners/operators, and in cooperation with EUNAVFOR (the EU Naval Forces in the region), and also on improvements regarding communications and reporting.

The updated BMP Version 2 will also be forwarded to the UN Contact Group WG3 for assistance in further dissemination as soon as possible.

The BMP updates include:

• Weather and registration information
• Transit Corridor systems
• Additional protective measures
• Ship manoeuvring recommendations
• Harmonising piracy reporting
• Streamlining contact information in the event of an attack

Industry association websites and the MSCHOA website are being updated accordingly. INTERTANKO, via its role as Merchant Navy Liaison Officer (MNLO) with EUNAVFOR’s Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) has been instrumental in coordinating the revisions with the industry supporting associations

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