Piracy in Southeast Asia Raises Concern

Piracy in Southeast Asia Raises Concern

JAKARTA – Pirate attacking small tankers to loot oil and gas in offshore are of Southeast Asia draws more concerns along last year.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) of International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recorded piracy to small tanker case in Southeast Asia reached 21 cases in 2014 than last year of 12 cases.

“Armed pirates attack small tankers to loot their cargos mostly oil and gas,” said IMB Director, Pottengal Mukudan, in the press conference recently.

The hike in Southeast Asia affects global vessel piracy case hike even though the number is still categorized in the lowest level for eight years.

IMB reported 245 piracy incidents in the world last year dropped for 44% from the highest peak in 2011.

“Global piracy case hike last year was caused by high attack to tanker in the coastal areas of Southeast Asia,” he said.

IMB complimented Police’s efforts to intercept the criminal action. Outside port area, according to IMB, pirates are very active at the waters around Bintan Island and South China Sea in which 11 vessels were pirated in 2014.

Responding to the data, Jakarta National Maritime Institute (Namarin) Director, Siswanto Rusdi, said IMB data must be more specific in differentiating common theft or piracy.

According to him, piracy case in Malacca Strait has dropped significantly from the previous time.

However, he asserted the government needs to concern the complicated maritime security issues based on Law No. 17/2008 about Shipping.

Siswanto explained a special agency like sea and coast guard should have been established three years after Shipping Law implementation. (Bisnis Indonesia)