How the Maritime Industry Fights Pirates
People might think that pirate attacks out at sea is a thing of the past or something only seen in movies, but attacks on cruise and cargo ships out at sea is a real thing. Ever since the collapse of the Somali government, the scale of piracy has climbed to such a scale that the UN’s International Maritime Organization has stated that it has become a global issue. Piracy is a problem that has affected the maritime industry, costing the lives of seafarers and millions in losses. Although things have gotten better over the years, the threat is still out there. Many measures are being implemented by different countries and organizations to slow down attacks from pirates. Although pirate attacks have been going down globally, but more needs to been done.
Most pirate attacks are situated in the South China Sea, but Africa’s East Coast, most from Somalia, is second when it comes to piracy. In the region of Somalia, the East African transport ministers are urging insurance firms to not pay any ransoms when a ship is captured. (Kabukuru, n.d.) On November 6th, 2018, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2442, which authorized a 12-month extension for International Naval Forces to help carry on anti-piracy measures. With this resolution, the Council; “Calls upon States and regional organizations that are able to do so to join the fight against piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia by deploying naval vessels, arms and military aircraft; providing basing and logistical support for counter-piracy forces; and seizing and disposing of boats, vessels, arms and other related equipment used in the commission of piracy-related crimes.” (United Nations, 2018)
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is looking for a response to the piracy problem as well. A stronger judicial system of regional countries where attacks are taking place has been considered as a primary focus, with the hopes that more people suspected of piracy can be brought to trial. It is also widely considered by many that fighting pirates on land, through the courts and banks, is just as or even more effective than fighting them at sea. Another option suggested is to attack the intermediaries that handle the money stolen by pirates, effectively cutting off their source of income and profit. (Executive director of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, n.d.)
Many tools and weapons are being implemented, with cutting-edge technology that has been created over the years to help push back pirates, making sure that they think twice before launching an attack. Long-range acoustic devices, for example, produce a concentrated beam of sound that causes pain to its targets. Anti-piracy laser devices, which can be used during the day or night, have been useful in distracting pirates. For up close confrontations with pirates, the use of water cannons, shoots high-pressure streams of water at its targets and is effective at slowing down pirate boats. Defensive tools, such as electric fences and nets, are being used as well. Other creative ways to deter pirate attacks, such as a liquid deterrent system, which produces a foul smell that stings and burns its targets. A foam is also used that reduces traction, making anyone attacking a ship slip and lose their footing. These are but a few of the tools that are being implemented to deter pirate attacks. (Raunek, 2019)
In the end, there is not an easy single solution to the problem of piracy. Changes to policies across many governments are needed and a stronger effort to crack down on pirates also needs to be established on a global and regional scale. With just a bit more effort, it may be possible to chip away at their ability to successfully attack and capture ships at sea, which has sadly become a big business for them due to their ability to effectively do so over the years. With the millions they are making yearly in attacks, they have managed to create a profitable underground organization. The implementation of early detection equipment and long-range acoustic devices on ships can go a long way in helping make pirate attacks less successful. Making piracy less organized by improving on certain policies and measures can have a ripple effect for the better, but it will take the cooperation of many parties to make it work. If the regions where attacks take place work together with other nations in securing the sea, a weakening of the pirate problem may be possible. Pirate attacks impede the delivery of shipments and increases shipping expenses, costing the industry billions of dollars yearly in global trade. More needs to be done and soon.
References
Executive director of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime. (n.d.). What to do about piracy? Retrieved from United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/what-to-do-about-piracy-.html
Kabukuru, W. (n.d.). Somali Piracy: In Search of Remedies for a Global Malady. Retrieved from United Nations Africa Renewal: https://www.un.org/africarenewal/web-features/somali-piracy-search-remedies-global-malady
Raunek. (2019, January 18). 18 Anti-Piracy Weapons for Ships to Fight Pirates. Retrieved from Marine Insight: https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-piracy-marine/18-anti-piracy-weapons-for-ships-to-fight-pirates/
United Nations. (2018, November 6). United Nations Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. Retrieved from United Nations: https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sc13566.doc.htm