India's maritime security concerns addressed: High risk area with respect to piracy in Arabian sea revised

NEW DELHI: In a boost for India's maritime security, the European Union Chair of the Contact Group of Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) on Thursday announced the revision of limits of the piracy "High Risk Area ( HRA)" with effect from December 1, 2015.

With the revision of the HRA, some of India's maritime security concerns viz floating armouries and proliferation of private security are likely to be addressed, said a Ministry of Defence press release. "The unanimous agreement by the shipping industry 'round-table' to now redraw the eastern limit of the HRA is a welcome move which is likely to address some of India's maritime security concerns, which have been highlighted by the Government of India (MoD/ Indian Navy, MEA, DG Shipping) in various forums since 2012," the release added.

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New HRA depicted by blue lines


"In addition, Indian ship-owners are likely to benefit significantly on account of savings on insurance and associated operating costs," the release said.

"Consequent to the spread of piracy to the East Arabian Sea, the international shipping industry extended the eastern limit of piracy HRA in June 2010 to 78oE longitude, thereby including the west coast of India within the HRA. The extension of the eastern limit of the HRA from 65 oE to 78oE led to security concerns on account of the presence of private security personnel onboard merchant vessels transiting the piracy HRA, and the presence of floating armouries off the Indian coast. The shipping industry also incurred additional costs for insurance and implementation of various recommendations for transit through the piracy HRA," the release explained.

The absence of piracy in the Indian maritime zones and adjacent seas, the security concerns and financial implications of an extended HRA, led to India seeking a review of the HRA, with the support of numerous countries.

In June 15, Indian Navy presented India's threat assessment at a meeting of the Shared Awareness and De-confliction (SHADE), a military forum for coordinating military effort in the region. Subsequently, in July 2015 at the 18th CGPCS meeting, discussion on HRA held centre-stage with a large number of countries supporting India's stand.

"India remains committed to ensuring freedom of navigation in the global commons and strengthening maritime security in the region especially in the East Arabian Sea. Indian Naval ships and aircraft continue to escort merchant ships of all nations in the Gulf of Aden," the release added.