European Nations Pushing IMO to Resolve Piracy

Published Dec 16, 2005 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

The Euro-Mediterranean Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism, agreed to by more than 30 world leaders last month in Barcelona, states that more must be done to lessen the "serious" risk of a terrorist attack at sea.

Maritime security is seen as a weak link, and a security source said, "Al-Qaeda has the aim of targeting weak links in the global economy." The warning comes after pirates attacked the luxury cruise liner 'Seabourn Spirit' off the coast of Africa last month with guns and rockets.

Security experts fear the raid could inspire terrorists to launch an attack at sea, possibly at Christmas. Experts warn that cruise ships with up to 5,000 passengers could be sunk by a small number of terrorists, and a suicide attack using a small speedboat packed with explosives could take out an oil tanker. The International Maritime Organization will take the issue to the UN Secretary General.