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306 AUSTRALIAN MARITIME ISSUES 2006: SPC-A ANNUAL
data, and the associated processes and consists of a series of dynamic relationships,
rather than a series of fixed links. 8
Delivering the keynote speech at the RAN Sea Power 2006 conference, former Navy
and ADF Chief Admiral Chris Barrie (Rtd) stated:
Just for counter-proliferation operations we are going to need the ability
to track cargoes comprehensively from point of origin, through transition
facilities, transport links and ports of arrival — case by case, container by
container and vehicle by vehicle ... there will be no such concept as the
free use of the high seas. 9
Maritime terrorism is fairly new, and terrorists now see warships, super tankers, LNG
carriers, bulk carriers and ocean liners as a means to their ends. These types of ships
provide an alternative form of transport that not only complements their ongoing Jihad
or ambitions, but enhance their ulterior motive of maximum death and destruction by
way of acting as an extension to the explosive device.
Hijacking of merchant ships by persons on board or with the assistance
of other vessels. All vessels are potential targets for hijacking, the most
likely being passenger ships and ships transporting hazardous cargo. The
attractiveness of passenger ships arises from the possibility of capturing a
large number of people with the intention of either holding them hostage
or executing them. 10
It poses the question: how do we protect our ships, shipping lanes and port facilities,
and what countermeasures do we employ to combat the threat?
Exclusive Economic Zone and Joint Offshore Protection
Command
With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles, Australia does have a
buffer zone to detect, intercept and destroy any offshore terrorist attack before they
come close to the littoral coastline.
On 15 December 2004, the Prime Minister announced:
... Australia’s offshore maritime security is to be further strengthened
through a series of linked initiatives that will be implemented progressively
through 2005 ... To ensure an integrated approach that can draw, as
necessary, on the full range of Australian Defence Force and Customs
capabilities and make the best use of available resources, a Joint Offshore
Protection Command, will be established by March 2005.