Somali Pirates Are Biding Their Time, Major Maritime Security Briefing Hears
Original Source: Writer/Journalist/Broadcaster Mary Harper
“Somali pirates are ‘sleeping’, they have not gone away”, said Mary Harper, BBC Africa Editor, who has reported widely on events in the region.
Growing political instability in Somalia and increasing global demands on national navies will continue to be the major contributing factors to on-going piracy activity in the medium-longer term, according to independent experts speaking at a maritime security briefing in Hamburg for representatives from the shipping and maritime industries.
The event, which was organised by Gulf of Aden Group Transits (GoAGT), brought together specialists on the expected development of the maritime security situation with industry delegates with commercial assets exposed to this potential risk.
Mary Harper said: “The threat from pirates, which over the last few years has seen a number of major vessels seized, remains latent. Somali pirates are waiting for the west to relax its guard. If shipping organisations become complacent, it is likely the pirates will strike again.”
She added: “Somalia is becoming more politically fragmented with many different groups seeking to gain dominance over their area, which potentially creates a favourable environment for piracy.”
GoAGT Chairman Admiral Philip Wilcocks, said: “Growth in world economic output since the 1990s has driven an exponential expansion in maritime trade and this trend is set to continue.
He added: However, the main issue is that piracy in the Indian Ocean has not been eradicated, it has just been suppressed. Furthermore, economic pressures and wider global commitments may well constrain the world's navies from their ability to sustain a significant presence in anti-piracy operations in this region."
Gerry Northwood OBE, Chief Operating Officer of GoAGT, said: “The briefing in Hamburg enabled those reliant on maritime activity to receive an independent assessment of the situation in Somalia and wider global maritime security issues, helping them to make informed decisions about their operations going forward.”
OCEANUSLive representative, Glen Forbes, attended and gave a talk on 'Integratng Information for Sea Security'.
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