Security

The International Maritime Bureau, the organization which we reported compiles data on piracy incidents worldwide, has shared data with us regarding the number of piracy incidents flag states have reported in each year for the past six years.

An International Maritime Bureau representative spoke with the ISRR following our article regarding their collaboration with Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands to collect information measuring the human cost of piracy. Tanasegaran, a representative for IMB Head Noel Choong, said:

The registries of Liberia, Panama and the Marshall Islands have each signed a declaration to report information to the International Maritime Bureau regarding incidents of violence at sea.

As the continued issue of piracy increases the use of armed guards onboard vessels in response, the need for coordinating international guidelines has also escalated.

Following publishing our article about IMO member Sarosh Zaiwalla's suggestion for a UN Naval Task Force, the ISRR reached out to Mr. Zaiwalla to express our support for his proposal. Mr. Zaiwalla was kind enough to share some further thoughts with us.

IMO member Sarosh Zaiwalla of Comoros  is advocating for a UN Navy Task Force that would monitor piracy incidents along the Somali coast.

The maritime community has been discussing the use of armed guards aboard vessels in response to the continued issue of piracy within the Gulf of Aden and other high risk areas.

Recently the European Union joined the United States and the United Nations in announcing sanctions against Iran as a response to the rogue state's support of weapons programs.

The Marshall Islands Registry discusses global issues such as UN Sanctions on Iran and how the Deepwater Horizon incident has affected their perception by others.