“Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Eastern-Africa is increasing. By the end of April there had been 79 attempted and completed hijacks by Somali pirates this year,” notes an article on the Lloyd’s of London web site (www.lloyds.com). 18 vessels were successfully hijacked, with 16 still being held and 285 seafarers taken hostage. This follows nearly 300 incidents of piracy against ships last year.
Lloyd’s asked a selection of experts if the piracy problem can be solved and how Gulf shipping lanes can be made safe again.
Nigel Miller, director, marine at Miller and honorary advisor to the UK Government in respect of war risks, pointed out that a “stable Somali government” is the long-term solution, but until that’s in place the naval force or a convoy system might have to do. He doesn’t favor arming merchant vessels.
Bruno Schuoler, senior special risks underwriter at Travelers likewise indicated that “an effective Somali government” is ultimately the only solution.
Dr. Thoko Kaime, Head of Africa Forecasting at Exclusive Analysis, advocates depriving the pirate gangs of their “freedom to operate from Puntland [North eastern Somalia], but he admitted that authorities there presently have little incentive to do so. In fact he noted that the “pirate economy that has developed is now a major revenue earner and it is unlikely that the government will use its militias to push for a clamp-down on piracy.”
Neil Roberts, senior executive—underwriting, at Lloyd’s Market Association, sees the naval forces as a short term solution, which can “help contain the problem, but the root cause remains on land.” He also thinks an internal solution is unlikely. “Only a co-ordinated international effort will help, Roberts continued, “and the first steps were taken with the adoption of the Djibouti Code of Conduct at a meeting of 17 states in January this year.
Lord Levene, Lloyd’s chairman, echoed those sentiments. He also pointed out that the new levels of cooperation among US, NATO, the EU and African states was a hopeful sign that eventually the piracy problem can be solved.
The entire article is available on the Lloyd’s web site.
Source: Lloyd’s of London.
Topics Excess Surplus Lloyd's
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