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Thursday, 3rd December 2009

New Counter Piracy Guidelines Released

On 2nd February 2009, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, directed the Inspector of Transport Security, Mick Palmer, to conduct an Inquiry under the Inspector of Transport Security Act 2006, into International Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea as a serious international transport security matter of concern to the Australian Federal Government.


The purpose of the Inquiry was to gain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the impact or potential impact of current worldwide acts of piracy on Australian maritime trade.


It also assessed prevailing levels of shipping security and identifying ways in which security arrangements for Australian international shipping and foreign registered international shipping carrying Australian cargo and their crews could be further improved.


As part of the Inquiry process the Inspector worked closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the international shipping industry. It drew heavily from Maritime Circulars and Best Management Practices in developing the Advisory Guidelines aimed at providing a broad range of advice for ship owners, ship masters and crew, for both piracy on the high seas and robbery at sea in the territorial waters of a State.


Whilst the current incidents of piracy and hijacking for ransom in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia pose a particularly serious threat to world trade, the potential threat to international shipping and crew from piracy and robbery at sea attacks is one which has global proportions.


The Advisory Guidelines outline preventive measures recommended to be considered to detect, deter and prevent piracy and robbery at sea attacks wherever they may occur. Whilst the primary focus is on international commercial shipping, advice is also provided for fishing vessels and pleasure yachts transiting piracy and robbery at sea risk waters.


The development of the Guidelines has been strongly supported by the Australian shipping industry, IMO, International Maritime Bureau and international shipping industry peak bodies.


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Electorate Office

334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204

Phone: 02 9564 3588

Parliament House Office

Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 7700

Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au

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