NATO: No Christmas Holiday for Somali Pirates

NATO is urging the merchant shipping community not to lower their guard or preparation over the Christmas period as the pirates operating in the Indian Ocean and surrounding waters will not be taking a holiday. The recent attack (16th December) on the MV Torm Kristina proves that the pirates are still on the lookout for targets.

Vice Admiral Christian Canova, Deputy Commander at NATO’s Maritime Headquarters in Northwood said, “Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean is at its lowest point since 2008 and this is good news, however we cannot be complacent. The weekend’s attack on the MV Torm Kristina shows that the pirates are active and are able to operate at great distances from the Somali coast. NATO and her maritime partners are still patrolling and disrupting pirate activity, however, the merchant community has their role to play and should continue to ensure that vessels implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) and are prepared to repel pirate attacks.”

Best Management Practices (BMP4) provides useful updates to masters in implementing ship protection measures to deter piracy. The publication is designed in a well-organised layout with clear definitions of terminology and procedures. BMP4 can be downloaded from the NATO Shipping Centre website where you will find information about the latest pirate attacks and where they occurred.

All international vessels transiting the area are encouraged to register with the UK’s Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO), based in Dubai and the EU’s Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), London so that their transits can be monitored and any incidents quickly reported by the master of the vessel.