Nov 21 2008 |
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Shipping Firms Consider Private Security Escortsw
Dubai - Amid growing concern over pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, UAE shipping companies said on Thursday they were considering hiring private security agencies to escort their vessels."We cannot keep any weapon on board. In case of pirate attack, the only thing the crew can do is to spray high-pressure water," said Ajith Janardhanan, general manager of Aries Shipping, in Dubai. "This seems not to be working with pirates with sophisticated arms. Now we are thinking about hiring a private security company to escort the vessel while it passing through the Gulf of Aden," he said.
Ram Moorthi, general manager of Dubai-based Pioneer Ship Managements, which operates at least two vessels through Gulf of Aden each week, said shipping companies in Dubai were trying to build a common security force.
"Our plan is to escort the vessels with a security ship that patrols the troubled vicinity," he said. "We should have alternative plans as Gulf of Aden is the most economically viable shipping route," he added.
The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia has similar thoughts. "We are trying to divert our vessels from Gulf Aden by using the routes of Cape of Good Hope. But it is not economically viable. So we are considering all the alternative arrangements including to use a private security company to escort the vessels," said president Saleh A Al Shamekh.
"As the pirate attacks become a day-to-day affair we have to look for options. It is not a favourable situation to operate our ships to the Gulf of Aden in this current scenario. So now we are considering our own security arrangements," said Capt. Emmanuel Vogiatzis Shipping Manager of Sharjah-based Fal Shipping.
The plans follow a US Navy call to shipping companies to engage security teams.
"Shipping companies have to understand that naval forces cannot be everywhere," Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, said this week. "Self protection measures are the best way to protect their vessels, their crews, and their cargo. Companies don't think twice about using security guards to protect their valuable facilities ashore. Protecting valuable ships and their crews at sea is no different," Gortney said.
riyasbabu@khaleejtimes.com
© Khaleej Times 2008
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