A MORE ROBUST APPROACH BY INDUSTRY TO PIRACYARMED ROBBERY AT SEA IN SE ASIA

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A MORE ROBUST APPROACH BY INDUSTRY TO
PIRACY/ARMED ROBBERY AT SEA IN SE ASIA?
Dr Sam Bateman
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Vulnerability of Ships to Attack in SE Asian
Waters

• Most attacks continue to be on vessels in port or
  at anchor
• All ships are vulnerable in port or at anchor if
  proper precautions are not taken.
• The ASEAN Ports Association (ASA) is currently
  focused on land side security it might also
  address water side security?
• As well as the need for proper precautions,
  vulnerability at sea is a function of ship size,
  speed, freeboard, movements, etc.

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Vulnerability of Ships Underway

• Vessels more likely to be attacked while underway
  are those which
•  Are smaller and slower (with notable exception
  of bulk carriers with some quite large vessels of
  that type being attacked)
• Have sub-standard Port State Control records (and
  thus possibly less likely to be taking all
  recommended precautions against attack)
• Are older and frequently with several name
  changes
• Were on less than direct voyages at the time of
  the attack, e.g. bulk carriers spend a lot of
  time at sea doing nothing!

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Questions

• Can industry (esp. ship operators) do more to
  ensure ships dont slow down or stop in high risk
  areas (and take proper precautions)?
• Should a large, well operated ship proceeding at
  operational speed be successfully attacked?
• Example of Sirius Star

Sirius Star
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A former attack hot spot

• In 2003- 2006, one-third of attacks on vessels
  underway
• in SE Asian waters occurred in an area E NE of
  Bintan Is. (on vessels waiting to enter Singapore
  or pass through the Straits?)

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The new Hot Spot
13 Incidents in 2008, including a hijacking up
from 2 in 2007
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Ships attacked off Pulau Tioman/Anambas Is in 2008
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Analysis of Attacks

• Total of 13 Attacks in area in 2008
• 5 were on tugs and barges (i.e. slow moving,
  vulnerable targets)
• 6 of the 8 attacks on larger vessels were on
  ships that according to voyage data, may have
  been loitering in area or moving slowly through
  it.
• Work in Progress

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CONCLUSION

• Industry could adopt a more robust approach to
  preventing attacks by
• Coordinated action to ensure greater security in
  particular ports and anchorages
• Reducing the employment of sub-standard ships
• Ensuring ships take all proper precautions in
  high risk areas both at sea and off ports
• Instructing ships not to slow down or stop in
  high risk areas