June 16, 2014

UOW hosts officials from Indian Ocean nations for a 10-day training course in maritime security

UOW expertise in maritime safety, security and legal governance will make an important contribution in helping Indian Ocean nations improve security and sustainable use of the sea in a region with some of the world’s busiest shipping routes, visiting officials have said.

UOW’s Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS)has over the past two weeks hosted 14 officials from the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for expert training in maritime security, regulation and enforcement on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The ANCORS course provided participants with the maritime security legal framework that will aid management of international shipping, ports, seafarer safety and broader supply chain practices. 

It also included information to improve counter-piracy cooperation through training on maritime information-sharing arrangements and how to strengthen national legal capacity and laws.

Mr Victor Mule, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in Kenya, said the course was invaluable in expanding his knowledge and application of UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) in efforts to bolster maritime safety and security by addressing threats to maritime commerce and freedom.

“We are very grateful to the Australian Government and ANCORS for this course. Technology and increasing the capability of prosecutors and law enforcement agencies is very important to help African nations improve and manage security,” he said.

“Since 2010 we have prosecuted 16 piracy cases involving 186 suspects,” he said. “Of those 16 cases we have had one acquittal and once case pending. We have excellent cooperation from foreign militaries but the major problem for us is trying to get the fisherman and merchant seamen to testify.

“They don’t want to come and meet their tormentors in court because they have been traumatised. In my office we have mainly been focused on piracy issues. This course has given me the whole background of UNCLOS to help us not only pursue these more difficult cases against pirates but also a broad understanding of security and safety on the seas.”

Indian Ocean rim nations are home to more than a third of the world’s population and cover an area stretching from Australia in the east, India and the sub-continent to the north and the east coast of Africa and the Persian Gulf to the west.

Indian Ocean ports handle about one third of global trade and half of the world’s container traffic traverses the Indian Ocean via three key routes that connect Europe, Asia and the Americas. The region is also home to more than half the world’s known oil reserves and a route to move natural resources between Africa and China.

Regional insecurity and choke points along those routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia, have combined to make these vital routes vulnerable to pirate attacks and terrorism.

Program Coordinator Professor Alistair McIlgorm said IORA Member States were becoming increasingly aware of the need to cooperate to ensure effective surveillance and the sharing of marine security information.

“Programs such as this enables these issues to be investigated in depth and for participants to discuss regional and national implications and how they can be part of the solution,” Professor McIlgorm said.

IORA is the apex pan-regional organisation for the Indian Ocean and is mandated with building economic integration and promoting practical collaboration across the Indian Ocean rim.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this program to IORA members and appreciate the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in funding this initiative,” Professor McIlgorm said.

A range of ANCORS staff including Professor Stuart Kaye (Director), Dr Chris Rahman, Dr Robin Warner, Dr Clive Schofield and Dr Anthony Morrison delivered key components of the program.