Feral Jundi

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Maritime Security: Anti-piracy Measures For Sale In Hamburg, Germany

     A recent survey of 110 German shipping companies by PWC (formerly PriceWaterhouse Coopers) found that 12 used private security agencies in some capacity. Ruetten believes this is not nearly enough, and that too many companies rely on improvised defense measures like strapping mannequins to strategic positions on deck to make a ship look like it is being guarded. 

     I found this article over at Deutsche Welle. It gave a good run down of the German maritime security market and how they view PSC’s in the Gulf of Aden. The quote up top was really interesting, but as per usual, they have some folks here giving some very bad advice about the realities of the high seas.

    Max Johns, spokesman for the Association of German Ship-owners is wrong on one of his points he brought up as well. The private security team he is referring to, was not armed and had no means of protecting themselves or the boat other than with the pathetic less than lethal crap they had. So his point that PSC’s are a bad idea because they are not dependable is wrong.

     Unarmed PSC’s are a bad idea, and I am sure if these folks had a means to defend themselves and the crew, the outcome would have been far different. It is dorks like this spokesman who continue to promote this myth that less than lethal is an appropriate defense against pirates armed with RPG’s, PKM’s and AK 47’s. It is this same myth that creates this mindset that companies should just roll the dice, or pay the ransom if their vessel is taken. Meanwhile, every ransom paid just increases the size of the piracy problem. It is a simple equation–paying ransoms fuels piracy.

     And those PSC companies that continue to tell shipping companies that being unarmed in those waters is a good idea, are equally to blame. It’s as if you are selling a company on the idea that you can magically protect them without using lethal force.  Your strategies might work for some cases, but they will not cover the instances where a pirate force actually understands how to defeat your less than lethal measures (like using binoculars to tell if you have mannequins on the deck) and/or evasive maneuvers (ransom money allows investments in faster boats).

     Just wait until pirates start coming aboard with cutting torches or shaped charges to open the doors of safe rooms or bridges/engineer rooms? Or when they start contracting captains and crews that know how to command these ships? The pirate is not dumb and they are learning and evolving as their industry is fueled by the profits gained by ransoms.

     The point is, losing control of your ship is ‘losing control of your ship’. Having armed and competent security on a ship will at least give the crew and captain a fighting chance. Having a strong defense is also a crucial element in taking care of your people, which I would certainly hope a captain or the owner of a company would actually care about?

    As for the German company IBS mentioned, I haven’t a clue as to who they are or what they are all about. If any of my German readers have anything to add, feel free to comment below. –Matt

Anti-piracy measures for sale in Hamburg

By Ben Knight

October 25, 2010

The hijacking of two ships over the weekend highlights the difficulties Western navies face combating piracy off the coast of Somalia. Many shipping lines are turning to private security firms for protection.

When it comes to global shipping, there is no avoiding the Gulf of Aden, which leads between the failed state of Somalia and Yemen – a nation security analysts describe as at-risk. These waters carry a significant share of the world’s wealth, including 11 percent of the world’s seaborne oil.

The 25,000 cargo ships that pass through the Gulf of Aden every year are tempting targets for heavily armed groups in Somalia, who claim overfishing by foreign vessels has robbed them of their livelihoods.

Earlier this year the International Maritime Bureau warned that attacks on merchant shipping are on the rise. European defense officials say Somali pirates are currently holding 20 ships and more than 400 crew for ransom off the Horn of Africa.

(more…)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Maritime Security: Maersk Line, CMA CGM, And MSC Unite In Piracy Fight

The three lines also called for other steps to be taken, including creation of an effective regional coast guard and possible transit corridors to East Africa.

Meanwhile most shipowners are reluctant to have guns onboard, with Maersk repeating its opposition to armed personnel on its ships while MSC is reviewing the situation after several piracy incidents.

“We do not have armed guards at the moment but we are considering their use, to protect our crew, the ship and the cargo,” MSC assistant operations manager Pasquale Ferraro said. 

*****

     Interesting news. I think what we are seeing here is a consolidation of companies to help alleviate costs for such things as protection of ships.  Strength in unity and economy of scale stuff here. So with that said, will we see investments from this trio towards this ‘effective regional coast guard’? And is this coast guard going to be operated by a private company or what?

     Or perhaps they are referring to the insurance backed private navy that was discussed earlier? The insurers that Maersk works with is Chubb and Marsh.  Could these two insurers be contemplating what JLT has been proposing?

     The other story that I attached to this one, is the increase of piracy off the coast of Nigeria.  Africa Energy Intelligence is reporting on all of the security company activity there in regards to increased threats to the energy sector. The insurgency (MEND) will get stronger because piracy will soon become a source of income that will only increase the strength and capability of that insurgency. Bottom line is that they are copying what the Somali pirates are doing, and will use that money for their fight against the oil interests and government in that country.

     So protecting boats from Nigerian pirates, Jihadist pirates, and Somali pirates is slowly becoming a focus of the companies and those that insure them. Because paying ransoms only makes piracy, terrorism, and land based conflict worse by inadvertently financing those activities. Interesting stuff. –Matt

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Box trio unite in piracy fight

Sep 22, 2010

Maersk Line, CMA CGM and MSC are joining up to draw attention to the continued threat of piracy.

The carriers also intend to swap ideas about how best to tackle the problem, which is likely to worsen as the monsoon season comes to an end.

With no sign that piracy attacks are likely to recede, the three lines are hoping their combined voice will send out a clear message that more needs to be done to safeguard commercial shipping lanes.

(more…)

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Military News: US Marines Gain Control Of The M/V Magellan Star From Pirates

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Maritime Security: Spike In Pirate Attacks In South China Sea Raises Warnings

    I will assume that none of these vessels had armed security on board.  Because if these dorks are only using steel bars or knives, then by all means they should get a good scare when they see an armed response.

    The other thing I was thinking about, but really cannot say for sure, is if any of these attacks show the signs of being jihadist related? The areas of these attacks would make it highly likely that these pirates were muslim, but you never know. These guys could just be thugs trying to take advantage of unarmed and easy prey.

     We will see if this area gets nuts again, and how this pirate industry evolves. I have no doubt that all wannabe pirates are watching what the Somali’s are doing, and dreaming about getting millions of dollars in ransoms. –Matt

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Spike in Pirate Attacks in Indonesian Waters Raises Warnings

Sara Schonhardt

06 September 2010

In the latest of a series of attacks in Southeast Asian waters, armed pirates attacked a Japanese chemical tanker off the Indonesian island of Mangkai in the South China Sea. Indonesia and its neighbors are coordinating efforts to fight the pirates.

Pirates armed with guns and knives are increasing their attacks on ships passing by three Indonesian islands off the east coast of Malaysia.

The International Maritime Bureau says 27 pirate attacks have been reported in the South China Sea since January, up from only seven in all of 2009. A spate of attacks since mid-August has deepened concerns at the maritime crime monitor, which warns ships to remain vigilant in the area.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said Monday the country’s navy is coordinating with the navies of Singapore and Malaysia to respond to the issue. He says the government plans to increase naval patrols in the area.

“The South China Sea is a very busy sea lane of communication, including the Strait of Malacca in Singapore,” he said. “It is important on our part that we conduct coordinated patrols as well as close communication.”

Globally acts of piracy are down this year, but an Asia security agency called ReCAAP reported a 40 percent increase in armed ship attacks in the region in the first half of 2010. So far the attacks have been minor, with no hostages taken or ships seized.

(more…)

Friday, September 3, 2010

Maritime Security: In Somali Civil War, Both Sides Embrace Pirates

While local government officials in Hobyo have deputized pirate gangs to ring off coastal villages and block out the Shabab, down the beach in Xarardheere, another pirate lair, elders said that other pirates recently agreed to split their ransoms with the Shabab and Hizbul Islam, another Islamist insurgent group.

The militant Islamists had originally vowed to shut down piracy in Xarardheere, claiming it was unholy, but apparently the money was too good. This seems to be beginning of the West’s worst Somali nightmare, with two of the country’s biggest growth industries — piracy and Islamist radicalism — joining hands. 

*****

Mr. Garfanji is believed to have hijacked a half-dozen ships and used millions of dollars in ransom money to build a small infantry division of several hundred men, 80 heavy machine guns and a fleet (a half dozen) of large trucks with antiaircraft guns — not exactly typical pirate gear of skiffs and grappling hooks.

While some of his troops wear jeans with “Play Boy” stitched on the seat, others sport crisp new camouflage uniforms, seemingly more organized than just about any other militia in Somalia. 

*****

     Interesting articles. There were all sorts of tidbits that caught my attention.  From the deputizing of pirates for coastal protection against jihadist pirates (letter of marque anyone?), to pirates raising small armies with the money they get from hijacking ships to protect their operations on land. The jihadist privateering concept is starting to catch on as well and no telling what Al Shabab and company will do with this capability. Piracy is an industry that is getting wealthier, bigger, more organized, more lethal and everyone wants a piece in Somalia.

     The other little detail I wanted to mention is that both authors of these articles below have taken two different approaches to the piracy issue. Mr. Gettlemen focused on the security threat and true intentions of the pirates, and the dork from AFP focused on what the pirates wanted him to write about. Which was ‘countries are stealing our fish, and it is our duty as pirates to hijack ships’ (hundreds of miles away from your shores? really?). sniff sniff….I weep for the pirate…lol Read the two stories and you will see exactly what I am talking about. –Matt

In Somali Civil War, Both Sides Embrace Pirates

In the heart of a Somali pirates’ lair

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In Somali Civil War, Both Sides Embrace Pirates

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN

September 1, 2010

HOBYO, Somalia — Ismail Haji Noor, a local government official, recently arrived in this notorious pirate den with a simple message: we need your help.

With the Shabab militant group sweeping across Somalia and the American-backed central government teetering on life support, Mr. Noor stood on a beach flanked by dozens of pirate gunmen, two hijacked ships over his shoulder, and announced, “From now on we’ll be working together.”

He hugged several well-known pirate bosses and called them “brother” and later explained that while he saw the pirates as criminals and eventually wanted to rehabilitate them, right now the Shabab were a much graver threat.

“Squished between the two, we have to become friends with the pirates,” Mr. Noor said. “Actually, this is a great opportunity.”

For years, Somalia’s heavily armed pirate gangs seemed content to rob and hijack on the high seas and not get sucked into the messy civil war on land. Now, that may be changing, and the pirates are taking sides — both sides.

While local government officials in Hobyo have deputized pirate gangs to ring off coastal villages and block out the Shabab, down the beach in Xarardheere, another pirate lair, elders said that other pirates recently agreed to split their ransoms with the Shabab and Hizbul Islam, another Islamist insurgent group.

(more…)

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