Page 7 - 2021 - Q3 - Minerva in Focus

2020 Paris MoU Annual

Report findings

#inspections

The Paris MoU has published its Annual
Report providing an overview of its ac-
tivities and statistics in 2020, which were
different from other years due to the COV-
ID-19 pandemic. Some of the highlights of
the report are:
The impact of COVID-19 on the world has
obviously affected the work of the Paris
MoU. To deal with the restrictions result-
ing from COVID-19 and the consequences
thereof, guidance was developed for the
member Authorities of the Paris MoU on
how best to deal with this situation.
Nevertheless, the Paris MoU had to scale
back efforts, resulting in decreasing num-
bers of inspections, refusal of access or-
ders, detentions, and deficiencies. In 2020, to 1.9% - the highest increase of the most The HRA was created at the height of the
seven Refusal of Access Orders (bans) were frequently recorded deficiencies. Somali piracy threat in 2010 to show ship-
issued. That shows a decrease compared owners, operators, and seafarers where
to 2019 when 27 were issued. In the past Source: Paris MoU pirates operated and where extra vigilance
three years, 55 ships have been refused ac- was required to avoid attacks.
“failing to call at an indicated repair yard,” Change in piracy threats Subsequent updates to the HRA have
cess for multiple detentions, five ships for
reflected the changing nature of threats
and two ships for jumping detention. In the in the Indian Ocean in the region, including the successful
same period, 12 ships were refused access suppression of Somali pirate action.
for a second time (13 from 2017 to 2019). prompts re‑think of Somali pirate groups have not attacked
The detention percentage fell slightly to a merchant vessel since 2017, while new
2.81% (from 2.96% in 2019). The number High‑Risk Area asymmetric threats from local conflicts
of detainable deficiencies decreased to and insurgents as well as the existence
1,942 (from 2,964 in 2019). The number of of more severe security threats have
inspections carried out was 13,148 - clear- #security emerged, such as piracy off West Africa,
ly, a substantial decrease to 2019’s 17,913. necessitating a change in how industry
Looking at the performance of flag States A continued downward trend in Somali assesses such dangers to shipping.
in this challenging year, as reflected on piracy has prompted leading shipping
the Paris MoU “White, Grey and Black organizations to reduce the geographic Source: ΒΙΜCO
List,” a slight shift is noticeable, resulting boundaries of the ‘High-Risk Area’ (HRA)
in a larger “Grey List.” The total number for piracy in the Indian Ocean, which ap-
of 39 flags on the “White List” is slightly plied from 1 September 2021.
less than that of 2019 (41). The “Grey List” In broad terms, the changes agreed by
contains 22 flags (16 in 2019); the “Black BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, and
List” lists 9 flags (13 in 2019). With 545 OCIMF, representing the global shipping
inspections and 41 detentions, the ships and oil industries, will reduce the HRA
flying a “Black-listed flag” had a detention boundaries to the Yemeni and Somali
rate of 9.36%, which is less than the 12% in Territorial Seas and Exclusive Economic
2019. For ships flying a “Grey-listed flag,” Zones in its eastern and southern reaches.
the detention rate was 4.6%, which is less In consultation with international part-
than the 7% in 2019. Ships flying a “White ners, the organizations will also take a
listed flag” had a detention rate of 2.4%, comprehensive new approach to assess-
which is slightly higher than in 2019 (2.2%) ing international maritime security threats
and 2018 (2.3%). to allow shipowners and operators to fully
There was a relative increase in the num- gauge the risk of voyages worldwide. This
ber of deficiencies recorded on the sea- second step is expected to be completed
farers’ employment agreement from 1.2% by 31 December.
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