The workshop was attended by the coast guards, navies and maritime law enforcement agencies from ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point in Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam), and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
The ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point, during the workshop, shared their countries’ efforts in preventing sea robbery incidents in their ports, anchorages and territorial waters. Participants also took part in a training session and table-top exercise to familiarise themselves with reporting of incidents using ReCAAP ISC’s Information Network System (IFN). In addition, Mr Li Quan, Deputy Director of Safety Management at Dalian Maritime University delivered a lecture on the theory and application of international maritime law on piracy and sea robbery incidents.
Mr Krishnaswamy Natarajan, Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC, said “The Focal Points/Contact Point of ReCAAP Member States play a crucial role in timely and accurate incident reporting and response, the ReCAAP ISC is committed to building the knowledge and skills sets of Focal Points/Contact Point officers to manage piracy and sea robbery incidents in their area of responsibility. The piracy and sea robbery situation in Asia from January to May 2024 has seen an improvement with 42 incidents reported during this period, against 49 incidents in same period in 2023. I appreciate the efforts of the ReCAAP member States in arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators, which contributed to a 14% reduction in robbery incidents. He stressed that the momentum need to be maintained to ensure the safety of seafarers and secured seas for unhindered flow of global trade.”
Mr Zhuo Li, Executive Deputy Director General of China MRCC, said, “The China Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center is committed to strengthening communication and collaboration with ReCAAP member States, to ensure safer seas for all. We are honoured to have co-hosted the Capacity Building Workshop, which promoted dialogue and useful exchanges between maritime law enforcement and regulatory agencies in Asia.”
Ms Liu Xiaoyan, Counsellor of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, China MFA, also ReCAAP ISC Governor for China, said “Looking ahead, China will continueto work with ReCAAP ISC and ReCAAP member States to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia, so as to maintain the overall sound situation of maritime security in the region, and to promote regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.”
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.
Please Contact Us at：
media@xindemarine.com
