Reduction in High Risk Area for Piracy Now in Force

By Aiswarya Lakshmi December 15, 2015

As of 1 December 2015, the reduction to the High Risk Area (HRA) as defined in Best Management Practices 4, has taken effect. Further information may be found in our earlier web alert, published on 9 October 2015 and available.

The new HRA is as follows:

In the Red Sea: northern limit – latitude 15 °N

In the Gulf of Oman: northern limit – latitude 22 °N

Eastern limit: longitude 065 °E

Southern limit: latitude 5 °S

In response to the reduction in the HRA, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office has published a revised version of Maritime Security Chart Q6099 which incorporates the changes.

The updated maritime security chart, as well as the notice to mariners from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office may be downloaded at the following links:

· Chart

· Notice

The club considers that the risk of piracy remains and recommends that members continue to exercise vigilance when trading to and through affected regions.

On 1st December 2015, the limits of the HRA within the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operation (UKMTO) Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA), shown on Maritime Security Chart Q6099, will be amended.

Ships entering the VRA are strongly encouraged to liaise with the UKMTO to ensure that military assets are expecting the ship, also prior to entering the HRA, Register Vessel Movement with Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA).