The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) maintained the High Risk Area (HRA) status for the western parts of the Indian Ocean.
To remind, the international shipping organisations are removing the High Risk Are (HRA) status for the western parts of the Indian Ocean from 1 January 2023.
The removal of the HRA reflects a significantly improved piracy situation in the region, largely due to concerted counter-piracy efforts by many regional and international stakeholders. No piracy attacks against merchant ships have occurred off Somalia since 2018.
However, the NMA has decided to wait and observe the development and activity in these port areas and maintain a raised MARSEC/ISPS level for Norwegian-flagged ships on level 2.
Lowest number of reported incidents
The latest global piracy report details 58 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships – the lowest total since 1994 – down from 68 incidents during the same period last year. In the first six months of 2022, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) reported 55 vessels boarded, two attempted attacks and one vessel hijacked.
The IMO has been informed of the decision made by International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF).
Measures enacted to secure the waters by military, political, civil society, and shipping industry, as well as Best Management Practices guidance, have reduced the threat of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
The removal of the HRA will come into effect at 0001 UTC on 1 January 2023, allowing charterers, shipowners and operators time to adapt to the changed threat from piracy.
It is necessary guidance for shipping to ensure threat and risk assessments are developed for every voyage to mitigate the risks presented by remaining