The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) wants a United Nations-appointed anti-piracy group to meet to consider how to respond to the recent series of hijacking attempts linked to Somalia.
There are concerns that the international network of measures that defeated Somalian piracy more than a decade ago has been weakened and action is needed.
The commission wants the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activity (CGIMA) to hold an emergency meeting.
The contact group was originally appointed under a UN resolution in 2009 as the Combat Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
It changed its name in 2022 when it appeared it had done its job and piracy had been defeated.
The UN Security Council mandate on counter-piracy expired in March 2022.
An IOC report on the recent attacks seen by TradeWinds said the situation has now changed.
“This worrying situation seems to indicate that piracy might no longer be successfully suppressed,” it said.
“Indeed, the shipping industry has already expressed strong concerns. An assessment of the threat, risks and a revision of current counter-piracy provisions is needed.”
The IOC has identified six acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean since November 2023, including the capture of the 41,600-dwt bulker Ruen (built 2016), the first successful hijacking since 2012.
The piracy incidents have occurred as the navy presence in the region has been distracted by attacks from Yemen on shipping in the Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea.
“These incidents indicate a significant spike in piracy activity,” the IOC said.
“Contrary to earlier spikes, pirates have attacked not only regionally operating vessels, but global maritime traffic. Moreover, they succeeded for the first time since 2012 to hold an international merchant vessel hostage for ransom.
“The current situation hence substantially differs from past waves of incidents.”
The IOC also coordinates the Indian Ocean maritime security operation MASE.
As part of the CGIMA gathering, the commission wants to see a threat assessment and for international anti-piracy navy forces Combined Maritime Forces and EUNAVFOR to present their plans to suppress piracy.
It also wants to consider how MASE can contribute to countering piracy. It is calling for funding for the prosecution of pirates to be considered, so that international navy operations can avoid a “catch and release” policy.
UN funding for the prosecution of pirates was stopped in 2022.
