Maersk Tightens Anti-Piracy Measures

A.P. Moller-Maersk will step up measures to guard its ships against pirates, but the company said April 29 it will not arm its container ship crews and called on governments to cooperate in fighting piracy.

The Danish shipping liner, acting in the wake of the failed attack on one of its ships off the coast of Somalia, says it will allow only ships big and fast enough to avoid pirate attacks to pass through an expanded area off the coast of Somalia.

The company said it will keep its ships moving at full speed through the area and is taking other security precautions aimed at “making access to the vessel more difficult.” But it would not discuss specifics about security beyond saying it will not arm crews or allow armed guards on board.

“We have expanded the area off the coast of Somalia where only vessels with a certain freeboard or capable of sailing certain speeds are allowed to enter,” said Søren Skou, a partner in A.P. Moller – Maersk Group and Maersk Tankers CEO.

“Vessels should spend as little time in the area as possible, and while in the area sail at maximum speed,” said Skou.

A.P. Moller-Maersk took the decision as a result of the ongoing review of its policy and procedures for sailing in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia that it initiated after the attempted seizure of the Maersk Alabama.

It gives detailed instructions and procedures to its crews prior to sailing in the area, which includes reviewing safety plans onboard before entering into the area.

The company reiterated its call on the international community to find a solution to the problem of piracy. It said piracy is a threat to important international trade lanes and therefore an international security issue.

“We back proposals such as establishing a regional maritime sea patrol to protect vessels in the area from piracy attacks. The nations in the region with the support of the international community must address this problem,” said Skou.

“We also call on the international community to establish a transit corridor, so vessels can safely call ports in Kenya and Tanzania,” he said.

The company said it welcomes the expected agreement between Denmark, Kenya and other countries to allow prosecution of pirates in Kenya.

“The problem of piracy cannot and should not be solved by the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group or the shipping industry only. It must be addressed by the international community,” the company said in its statement.