Indian Ocean Voyage Risk Assessments
Navigating risk in the Indian Ocean after the removal of the High Risk Area
VOYAGE RISK: INDIAN OCEAN
Why the IMO recommends a Ship and Voyage Specific Risk Assessment for Indian Ocean transits
With the removal of the Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA) it has become even more important for ship owners and operators to be aware of the specific risks facing vessels on transit through the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea.
A Ship and Voyage Specific Risk Assessments, SVSRA, is recommended for all Indian Ocean transits in the IMO’s Best Management Practice, BMP5, to keep maritime security high in the new threat landscape. Below we outline why a Voyage Risk Assessment is an essential tool for Indian Ocean transits.
What does the removal of the High Risk Area, HRA, mean for shipping operators?
The announcement to remove the HRA in the Indian Ocean noted that “the removal of the HRA reflects a significantly improved piracy situation in the region, largely due to concerted counter-piracy efforts by many regional and international stakeholders” and that “through a combination of efforts by military, political, civil society, and the shipping industry over the years, operators and seafarers are now able to operate with increased confidence in these waters.”
Piracy is in decline but threats persist
Despite the improving security situation, there are ongoing concerns in the broader shipping community. The Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia is a Joint War Committee (JWC) listed area, as are the coasts of Yemen, Somalia, Iran, and Pakistan, and coastal zones in the Persian Gulf. Moreover, the offshore waters of the southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Somali Basin – areas previously covered by the HRA – remain as listed areas.
Protagonists have significant capabilities, while their intentions are shifting over time based on local and regional political dynamics. This has safety and security implications for vessel operations, both for port calls and transits, and risk specifics will vary by vessel type, location, and voyage plan. To assess the risk on any transit, you therefore need a risk assessment that is both vessel and voyage specific.
Why do you need a SVSRA for any Indian Ocean transit?
To keep maritime security high in the new threat landscape the IMO recommends performing a Ship and Voyage Specific Risk Assessments, SVSRA, for all Indian Ocean transits in their Best Management Practices 5, BMP5.
The Ship and Voyage Specific Risk Assessment, SVSRA or VRA, is an essential operational preparation and planning tool for waters such as the Indian Ocean. It assesses the vessel, the route and the potential threats relevant to the planned journey, and threats are assessed in light of any background factors or current developments. It includes a semi-quantitative assessment strongly focussed on delivering an operational preparation product - which enables you to take any precautions or external measures needed, such as armed guards or other security personnel.
Why choose a Risk Intelligence Voyage Risk Assessment?
At Risk Intelligence we specialise in bespoke impartial reporting, and have analysts continuously monitoring the threats that are posed to shipping. Not only piracy but also smuggling, terrorism, insurgency and military operations. Heat map methodology and automation cannot provide the level of insight that a trained analyst can - with our experienced team and analysis capability, we bring not only existing threats but also rising threat trends into the final assessment.
Get in touch now to discuss or order a Ship and Voyage Specific Risk Assessment:
With a Risk Intelligence Voyage Risk Assessment for your Indian Ocean transit, you get a complete assessment of the risk faced by your planned operation, taking into account the specific vulnerabilities of both vessel and voyage.
Our Indian Ocean SVSRAs are designed to provide you with a commercially independent appraisal of the risk facing your vessel on the specific transit, and enable firm decision-making commercially and operationally.
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