Page 6 - 2022 - Q3 - Minerva in Focus

NEWS

News

Hour

Shipping industry to
remove the Indian Ocean
High-Risk Area

#piracy

After more than a decade of effective
threat-reducing counter-piracy operations,
shipping has removed the Indian Ocean
from the High-Risk Area (HRA) category.
The removal of the HRA reflects a signifi-
cantly improved piracy situation in the
region, mainly due to concerted coun-
ternational stakeholders. No piracy attacks Seafarer satisfaction on responses. As such, this debate continues to
ter-piracy efforts by many regional and in-
against merchant ships have occurred off the rise shape the happiness of seafarers massively.
Somalia since 2018. There were responses warily welcoming the
The IMO has been informed of the decision changes to MLC, which will make access
made by the International Chamber of #seafarersmatter mandatory; the enthusiasm was tempered
Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, International Marine with concerns about cost and quality.
Contractors Association (IMCA), INTERCAR- The latest Seafarers Happiness Index pub-
GO, INTERTANKO, and Oil Companies Inter- lished by The Mission to Seafarers reveals a Source: The Mission to Seafarers
national Marine Forum (OCIMF). welcome rise in optimism with a significant
Measures enacted to secure the waters by increase in an overall rating of 7.21/10, up Joint concentrated
the military, governments, civil society, and from 5.85 in the previous quarter.
shipping industry, as well as Best Manage- end of COVID issues, it is perhaps the begin- inspection campaign
While what we are seeing might not be the
ment Practices guidance, have reduced the
ning of the end. Amendments to the Maritime
threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean. Labour Convention (MLC), and the prospect on STCW
The removal of the HRA will allow char-
terers, shipowners, and operators time to of universal connectivity, have given rise to
adapt to the changing piracy threat. Best optimism, and timely crew changes have had #stcw
Management Practices 5 (BMP5) will con- a massive impact on positivity. When sea-
tinue to provide the necessary guidance farers know how long they will be on board Member Authorities of the Tokyo and the
for shipping to ensure threat and risk as- and are sure they will be home on time, they Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU)
sessments are developed for every voyage can deal with the challenges faced at sea. on Port State Control launched a joint
to mitigate the risks of remaining security This Quarter 2 2022 report paints a picture Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on
threats in the region. The shipping industry of some important positive progress and will STCW.
will continue to monitor and advise on allow the industry a collective wiping of the This campaign will be held for three months,
maritime security threats to assist the safe brow, but it is not mission accomplished as commencing on 1 September 2022 and
transit of vessels and the seafarers who there is still much to be done. ending on 30 November 2022. The CIC in-
crew them. The issue of connectivity and contact with spections will be applicable to all ships and
families and loved ones at home was the conducted in conjunction with the regular
Source: International Chamber of Shipping topic of much debate within the most recent Port State Control inspection.

6 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 21 / Q3 2022