Feral Jundi

Friday, October 8, 2010

Maritime Security: Ascot Underwriting Agrees To Join JLT’s Fight Against Somali Pirates

     Here is an update to the whole private navy thing. This is an important step to the process, and they are getting all their ‘ducks lined up in a row’. What these guys are waiting on now is for the British government to approve this. And get this, there might be a chance for an issuing of the Letter of Marque. It was discussed by some industry folks on that video I posted, and I am sure that conversation has been had elsewhere throughout this whole process?

     If this happens, this would be a very significant event in terms of the legal use of private industry for actions such as this. The historical significance would equally be awesome. Who knows and I will keep an eye out on this one. If anyone comes up with anything interesting, by all means let me know. –Matt

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Ascot agrees to join JLT’s fight against Somali pirates

07-10-2010

By Sam Barker

£10m joint venture would create fleet of armed patrol boats

Lloyd’s insurer Ascot Underwriting is working with JLT on the broker’s plans for a private navy to protect ships against Somali pirates.

The £10m JLT proposals would create a fleet of around 20 armed patrol boats to protect ships from Somali pirates. Ascot has proposed to underwrite the shipping escorted by the JLT private navy.

Ascot underwriter for marine hull Andrew Moulton said: “We have been working with JLT to provide a framework of potential insurance coverages in the event that the convoy escort programme receives support from the wider shipping community and, most importantly, gets the backing of EU Naval Force Somalia.”

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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. 

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     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…)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Maritime Security: Insurance Firms Plan Private Navy To Take On Somali Pirates

Sean Woollerson, a senior partner with JLT, told The Independent: “We are looking at setting up a private navy to escort vessels through the danger zones. We would have armed personnel with fast boats escorting ships and make it very clear to any Somali vessels in the vicinity that they are entering a protected area.

“At the moment there is a disconnect between the private security sector and the international naval force. We think we can help remedy that and place this force under the control of the multi-national force. We look after about 5,000 ships and have had 10 vessels taken in total, including a seizure where one crew member was shot and killed. Piracy is a serious problem, these are criminals basically extorting funds, so why not do something more proactive?” 

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Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT), which insures 14 per cent of the world’s commercial shipping fleet, said the unprecedented “private navy” would work under the direct control of the military with clear rules of engagement valid under international law. Early discussions have also been held with the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Transport and the Foreign Office. 

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     I posted an article back in April that hinted at this private navy concept, and I had no idea that it would get to this level.  This is fantastic news and I totally support such a thing.  Mr. Woollerson is right and companies must do something more proactive.

    Now on to the control mechanism for this force. Perhaps now would be a time for Britain to re-evaluate their position on the Letter of Marque and Reprisal?  The Declaration of Paris might have been a nice concept at the time of ratification, but it removed a tool of the British government for dealing with non-state actors like pirates? They could actually license this private navy to do what it is doing.

     Within the terms of the license, that is where they can define who the companies answer too and what legal mechanisms they are to abide by. They can also put fail safe measures on this private navy, like an expiration date or something similar. Because if this private navy ‘would work under the direct control of the military with clear rules of engagement valid under international law’, then you guys might as well go all the way and issue the LoM?

    Another thing that I was thinking about here is that if JLT is successful with this insurance/private navy model, then will other insurance companies get the hint and be ‘proactive’ as well?  I guess time will tell and if the action does equate to a cost savings and safer voyages for the shipping industry, I am sure it will catch on.

    Finally, there is the cost factor.  It is extremely costly for the navies of the world to continue these anti-piracy operations using these large vessels/expensive air assets to go after pirates armed with AK’s in little motor boats. How is this sustainable economically? Eventually, the work load would have to be shared in order for it to continue, and perhaps private industry is looking into the future here. They are also looking at the fact that boats are still being taken, and all these fancy high tech navies are not able to stop these pirates. Nor is there anything being done on land, and the profitable piracy industry has no where to go but up.  Being proactive makes sense given the current state of things.

    Interesting stuff and I would like to know what company JLT will go through for raising this private navy?  If any readers, or even JLT can answer that one, that would be very cool. Hell, I will even post the recruitment ad for this ‘private navy’, and I will guarantee that JLT’s contractor will get a huge response. –Matt

Edit: 10/01/2010 -Be sure to check this show out in regards to the story. They discuss how the LoM could be used as a legal mechanism for this private navy.

Insurance firms plan private navy to take on Somali pirates

Somali Pirate Attacks Sink Premiums as Insurers Leap Aboard

Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Plc

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Insurance firms plan private navy to take on Somali pirates

By Cahal Milmo

September 28, 2010

Patrol boats crewed by armed guards to protect valuable ships in Gulf of Aden

Insurers have drawn up plans for the world’s first private navy to try to turn the tide against Somali pirates who continue to plague the global shipping industry by hijacking vessels for ransoms of more than £100m a year, The Independent has learnt.

The new navy, which has the agreement in principle of several shipping groups and is being considered by the British Government, is the latest attempt to counter the increasingly sophisticated and aggressive piracy gangs who operate up to 1,200 miles from their bases in the Horn of Africa and are about to launch a new wave of seaborne attacks following the monsoon season.

A multi-national naval force, including an EU fleet currently commanded by a British officer, has dramatically reduced the number of assaults in the Gulf of Aden in recent months. But seizures continue with 16 ships and 354 sailors currently being held hostage. The Independent has seen Nato documents which show both ransom payments and the period that pirates are holding vessels have doubled in the last 12 months to an average $4m and 117 days respectively.

In response, a leading London insurer is pushing ahead with radical proposals to create a private fleet of about 20 patrol boats crewed by armed guards to bolster the international military presence off the Somali coast. They would act as escorts and fast-response vessels for shipping passing through the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean.

(more…)

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