Number of Indian crew hijacked by pirates during the last three years

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Shipping
24-November, 2016 15:13 IST
Step Taken to Prevent Incidents of Attacks on Vessels


Gulf of Aden (East Coast of Africa), Malacca Strait and West Coast of Africa are shipping routes which suffer incidents of pirate attacks. The number of Indian crew hijacked by pirates during the last three years and the current year along with the number of crew released are as under:-

Year - Indian crew Hijacked - Indian crew Released

2013 - 46 - 46

2014 - 30 - 29*

2015 - Nil -Nil

2016
(Till date) - Nil - Nil

* One Chief Engineer was found dead after attack of pirates.

Steps taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future are:-

(i) Guidelines for anti-piracy measures issued through Merchant Shipping Notice No.1 of 2011 dated 14.1.2011 to be implemented by Indian Ships. The guidelines provide for elaborate anti-piracy measures (Best Management Practices), including safe house/citadel for vessels.

(ii) Banning of sailing vessels to ply in waters south or west of the line adjoining Salalah and Male through Merchant Shipping Notice No. 3/2010 dated 31.3.2010.

(iii) Naval escorts provided by Indian naval ships in the Gulf of Aden since 2008 for Indian flag merchant ships.

(iv) Enhanced vigil by the Indian Navy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and westward up to 65 degree east longitude.

(v) Active participation of India in the security meetings of the International Maritime Organization, Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS)and other international fora.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.



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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Shipping
24-November, 2016 15:14 IST
Agreements for Exchange of White Shipping Information

In 2014, the Government had approved the proposal to conclude bilateral and multilateral agreements for exchange of white shipping information with Navies, Coast Guards and agencies entrusted with maritime security of 26 countries and 3 multinational groups. These agreements, which enable exchange of unclassified information, are not security pacts per se, but would help augment existing capabilities to develop Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), thus aiding maritime security. So far agreements have been operationalized with three countries and signed with three more.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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[Star Expedition]

There is no blame on Indian Navy when such things happens on their ocean?

 

[akshay gehlot]

There is no blame on Indian Navy when such things happens on their ocean?

So now it's our ocean is it? Most of these incidents happen far from Indian waters and nearer to Africa than Asia. They can only patrol till a certain distance and have done so very well

 

[Hindustani78]

There is no blame on Indian Navy when such things happens on their ocean?

The 2014 incidents are broken down as 183 vessels boarded,28 attempted attacks, 21 hijackings and 13 vessels fired upon. Some 442 crew members have been taken hostage,13 injured,nine kidnapped from their vessels and four crew fatalities.

In 2014 one crew member and two pirates were killed and six captured after a shootout with the Nigerian navy just outside anchorage on the SP Brussels in Lagos, Nigeria's Atlantic Ocean-side commercial center.

 

[Jugger]

India has a very powerful navy, we should use it to secure the indian ocean region and make it safe for transit. It is our responsibilty as it is the Indian ocean