SSA Annual Review 09/10 - Singapore Shipping Association

SSA ANNUAL REVIEW 2009/2010
28
ACTIVITIES REPORT
Piracy & Armed Robbery
Whilst the Committee expressed deep appreciation
to Singapore and other governments for sending
naval assets and personnel to support ongoing
multinational anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden
and the Somali Basin, it acknowledged that these
naval patrols could only be temporary, as they
would be a serious drain on the national resources
of the contributing States. As such, it would be
necessary to develop firm punitive measures to
actively deter pirates.
The Committee reaffirmed that, whilst the adoption
of technical and operational best practices could
counter incidents of piracy and armed robbery
against ships, it is absolutely important for the
United Nations and the world’s governments,
as a matter of urgency, to adopt an aggressive
approach to deal with the root of the serious
piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden. Restoring a
credible government should help to restore law and
order, thus arresting the civil disorder and criminal
activities in Somalia.
The Committee also discussed and expressed
disappointment on the US President’s Executive
Order issued on 13 April 2010 which declared
piracy off Somalia as a threat to the national
security and foreign policy of the US and forbids
material or financial assistance. The Order was
deliberately vague and could have an effect on
negotiations to free ships and crew hijacked by the
Somali pirates.
The Committee considered suggestions that private
armed guards should be hired to serve on board
Singapore-flag vessels. It was reaffirmed that the
IMO neither encourages nor endorses the hiring
of armed guards as their presence might result in
an escalation in the degree of violence used by
the pirates. The Committee therefore maintained
the policy of not arming crews or allowing armed
guards onboard ships. The use of arms onboard
would only lead to dangerous consequences and
also raise a number of jurisdictional legal issues
when the vessels call at ports around the world.
Photo courtesy of Ministry of Defence, Singapore
Canal Tolls
The Committee had expressed serious concern on
the proposals by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
and the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) to increase
tolls for ships passing through their respective
canals especially during such difficult economic
times and the fragile recovery of the
shipping industry.
The Committee agreed to give its full support to
the Asian Shipowners’ Forum and the International
Chamber of Shipping to petition to the respective
Canal Authorities to reduce tolls and/or defer
increases in tolls till the industry has fully recovered.
SERVICES COMMITTEE
Chaired by Councillor Mr Aloysius Seow, this
Committee oversees the activities of the Bunkering,
Cruise, Ship Operations & Port Services, and the
Training & Development Sub-Committees.
• Bunkering Sub-Committee
The Bunkering Sub-Committee, chaired by Mr Kan
Hoi Yuen of Shell Eastern Trading (Pte) Ltd, works
closely with the MPA to enhance the development
of the bunkering industry in Singapore.
Photo courtesy of Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd