UPDATED: Shipping industry’s best practices for piracy protection

The fourth edition of the shipping industry’s Best Management Practices for Protection against Somali Based Piracy (BMP4) has been released.  Supported and endorsed by the combined naval forces EUNAVFOR, NATO, CMF, UKMTO and INTERPOL, the implementation of BMP has proven to be the best defense against Somali-based  piracy.

The latest edition of the pocket-sized booklet includes a new executive summary detailing the three fundamental BMP requirements to register with MSCHOA, report to UKMTO and implement self protection measures (SPMs).  BMP4 also includes an aide memoire illustrating how to “avoid being a victim of piracy” and a revision to the boundaries considered part of the High Risk Area for Somali pirate activity.

More changes and additions include a clarification on reporting requirements, a sub-section on the prosecution of pirates, information on the use of citadels and armed private security guards, and suggestions to both companies and ship captains planning a voyage through high risk areas.

BMP4 is endorsed by virtually all industry organizations including BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, ITF, OCIMF and SIGTTO, to name a few, and is currently due for distribution in early September.

An advance copy of BMP4 can be downloaded HERE.

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