Attacks on vessels in various parts of the world are a real and growing problem. All interested parties, including governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations and the industry itself, need to take all possible measures to tackle the problem and reduce the risk to seafarers, ships and international trade.

Recent years have seen a steady rise in the number and severity of reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships, posing an increasing danger to the world’s shipping and to international trade. In cases where vessels are taken from the control of the crew, it is also a potential cause of environmental disasters.