

International Maritime Bureau
The 6th Tri-annual International Maritime Bureau Meeting on Piracy and Maritime Security
12th & 13th June 2007, Shangri-la Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
organised by
ICC - International Maritime Bureau (IMB)
and
The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP)


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The conference, held in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Police,
has attracted over 200 delegates representing 38 countries and 13
international organizations,
IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan stated: "This international event
allows key players in the areas of law enforcement, government maritime
policy and commercial shipping to focus on addressing their common
challenges with respect to piracy and security."
Opening the conference Malaysia's Deputy Minister for
Internal Security Y.B. Dato' Mohd. Johari Bin Baharum, said that the
dramatic reduction in attacks in the Malacca Straits was the result of
firm action taken by Malaysia and the littoral states. His address was
followed by presentations outlining contemporary responses to piracy
and security, and an analysis of hot spots.
YDH Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Inspector General of the Royal Malaysian
Police highlighted the importance of neighbouring law enforcement
agencies of the Malacca Straits maintaining open channels of
communication. He noted that multi-jurisdictional measures, such as
coordinated patrols and 'eye-in-the-sky' programmes, have resulted in a
dramatic drop in piracy attacks in the region.
Analysis of a hijacking was given by Captain Feroze Mirza of
Eurasia International, Hong Kong. He related events following the
hijacking of a tanker in Somalia. He revealed the tremendous pressures
put upon owners and crew in these situations and how the hijacking was
successfully resolved and the vessel recovered within 21 days.
Commander Max Mejia of the World Maritime University provided an
overview of the existing legal frameworks relevant to maritime
security. Commander Mejia described the various international
conventions on piracy, such as UNCLOS and SUA, and explained how their
specific definitions of piracy vary.
|
pirates approaching |
pirates boarding |
Royal Police boarding |
Royal Police boarding |
| IMB launches Maritime Security Hotline |
The Maritime Security Hotline is a confidential communication procedure
that will enable seafarers and others in the shipping industry to
report any suspicious information regarding maritime crime, including
terrorism, to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. This service will be
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will be accessible from
any location worldwide.
IMB Director Captain Pottengal Mukundan stated: “The crew of vessels
and others in the shipping industry may have critical information
related to terrorism, smuggling or other serious maritime crimes. In
the past, those on the front lines of the shipping and port industries
have been hesitant to provide this information, fearful of the
consequences to themselves or their families. This new service will
allow security intelligence to be reported anonymously and without
delay.”
The Maritime Security Hotline consists of a constantly monitored
communications command centre capable of receiving secure telephone and
e-mail reports. This new service will be manned from the IMB Piracy
Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Those at the forefront of the
maritime world will be able to provide secure, private first person
accounts to IMB, an independent agency not directly affiliated with any
traditional intelligence institution. IMB will interpret and categorize
all reports and forward all necessary information to the relevant
authorities.
The number for the IMB Maritime Security Hotline can be contacted via telephone on +603 2031 0014 or e-mail on
for more information : International Maritime Bureau