Home

WATCHING THE WORLD HOW TO COMBAT TANKER PIRATES

Aug. 31, 1992

With David Knott from London Piracy is a growing problem for oil tanker operators. A major concern is that the crew may be immobilized during an attack, leaving the tanker to sail on out of control. Potential for collision and subsequent pollution is then immense. Most attacks while ships are under way take place around Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The most serious danger area is Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Sumatra. More than 40 attacks have been reported so far this year, and

Piracy is a growing problem for oil tanker operators.

A major concern is that the crew may be immobilized during an attack, leaving the tanker to sail on out of control. Potential for collision and subsequent pollution is then immense.

Most attacks while ships are under way take place around Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The most serious danger area is Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Sumatra. More than 40 attacks have been reported so far this year, and they are becoming increasingly ferocious.

In the Phillip Channel off Singapore, a tanker carrying 240,000 metric tons of crude oil was boarded recently. The crew was tied up and the ship sailed on, an oil spill waiting to happen.

West of England Ship Owners Insurance Services Ltd., Luxembourg, which underwrites 10% of the world's freight tonnage liability, is warning shippers that cleanup costs of a spill could run into millions.

EASY TARGET

Michael Kelleher, the insurance firm's director, points out that oil tankers are any easy target for pirates because of their low freeboard and small crew. Vessels with free boards exceeding 10 m and steaming at 18 knots have been boarded without difficulty, he said.

The International Maritime Bureau has been trying to set up an antipiracy center in Kuala Lumpur to coordinate campaigns off Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Philippines. Indonesia this month objected to interference in its affairs, effectively beaching the scheme.

Kelleher, however, has advice for his members.

First, no heroics.

He said, "Where seamen have been injured or killed, such acts have rarely been committed unprovoked and generally have been the outcome of commendable but misguided attempts to resist the attackers."