Australia's home affairs minister raised concerns about the rising threats of piracy that is affecting key shipping lanes in various parts of the world, Seatrade Asia online reports. Piracy challenges the “maritime and port security arrangements as legitimate shipping lines seek to defend their crews and cargo,” said Brendan O'Connor at a port and maritime security conference held in Melbourne.
He added that the approval of the use of private armed guards on merchant vessels “raises a range of regulatory challenges for our government agencies and for our port and maritime operators should such vessels seek to enter Australian waters and ports.”
Incidences of pirates attacking vessels in Somalia waters and other north Africa countries have been an ongoing concern. The concern is amplified as pirate boats are travelling further east out into the Indian Ocean.
He added that the approval of the use of private armed guards on merchant vessels “raises a range of regulatory challenges for our government agencies and for our port and maritime operators should such vessels seek to enter Australian waters and ports.”
Incidences of pirates attacking vessels in Somalia waters and other north Africa countries have been an ongoing concern. The concern is amplified as pirate boats are travelling further east out into the Indian Ocean.