2012 年 7 月 23 日

一般社団法人 日本船主協会（海務部）

アジア船主フォーラム、国連 CGPCS WG1 において海賊対策を提言

今般、アジア船主フォーラム（ASF）は、国連・ソマリア海賊対策コンタクト・グループ（CGPCS）（*）の WG1（軍事的オペレーションの調整および周辺国の取締能力向上支援に関するワーキング・グループ）会合において、海賊対策に関して公式に提言したとするプレスリリースを行いましたので、ご連絡いたします。
これによれば、ASF は、2012 年 7 月 12 日にロンドンで開催された CGPCS WG1 会合において、“UN Counter Piracy Task Force”を設立し、アデン湾から西インドにかけての海賊事件が多発する海域を航行する商船に国連軍または海軍軍人を乗船させるとの提言（ASF Counter-Piracy Proposal）を行ったとのことです。
また、CGPCS WG1 の議長である James Hughes 氏は、同提言に留意（note）するとともに、WG1 メンバーに対して、さらに検討するよう求めたとしています。
なお、ASF Counter-Piracy Proposal の詳細につきましては、本年 3 月 12 日付のプレスリリースにてお知らせしたとおりですが、次の ASF ウェブサイトでもご覧になることが可能です。
http://asianshipowners.org/（*）the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia：2008 年 12 月に採択された国連安保理決議第 1851 号に基づき、ソマリア沖での海賊の抑止のための関係国・関係機関との調整のために 2009 年 1 月 14 日に設置。
以上

ASIAN SHIPOWNERS’ FORUM
10 Anson Road
#16-18, International Plaza,
Singapore 079903
Tel: (65) 6325 4737 Fax: (65) 6325 4451
General Email: information@asf.com.sg
Website: www.asianshipowners.org__________________________________________________________
19 July 2012
Singapore

PRESS RELEASE
Asian shipowners strongly urge the CGPCS to consider theestablishment of a UN-Sanctioned Counter Piracy Task Forceto tackle Somali Piracy
Somali Piracy undeniably remains a serious threat to world shipping andtrade, and needs to be eliminated immediately with concrete andeffective actions over and above the existing measures currently put inplace by the international community.
The situation had deteriorated to such a state that shipowners have toemploy private armed guards to provide protection for their ships andseafarers against these dangerous criminals. The employment of these
private armed guards, however, is by no means a long-term andsustainable solution against these Somali pirates.
Whilst the United Nations (UN) examines and considers a long termsolution on the root causes of the Somali piracy problem, the Asian
Shipowners’ Forum (ASF) is of the strong view that viable solutions must
be taken to quickly address this pressing problem for the near andmedium term.
Mr Patrick Phoon, Chairman of the ASF Safe Navigation andEnvironment Committee (SNEC) said, “The protection of importantshipping and strategic sea-lanes is the full responsibility of theinternational body such as the UN, and it is therefore vitally important for
the UN to act swiftly to deal with this Somali Piracy menace. The ASF
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SNEC had therefore formulated a Counter-Piracy Proposal which offers
2 options of actions that should be implemented by the UN to address
the near and medium term needs”.
In essence, the ASF Counter-Piracy Proposal outlines the establishmentof a UN Counter Piracy Task Force which will make use of UNSanctioned military or naval personnel who will be deployed on-board
merchant ships that transit the piracy plagued waters of the West IndianOcean through the Gulf of Aden, and vice versa.
Detailed information of the proposed operation is outlined in the ASF
Counter Piracy Paper which is posted on the ASF Website(http://www.asianshipowners.org).
The ASF Counter-Piracy Proposal was officially presented to theWorking Group 1 (WG1) of the Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast ofSomalia (CGPCS) that recently met in London on 12 July 2012.
Mr Nordin bin Mat Yusoff, Chairman of Federation of ASEAN
Shipowners’ Associations (FASA), who was also in the ASF Delegation
at the WG1 Meeting said, “I am deeply concerned that, as of 16 July
2012, at least 11 vessels with about 174 seafarers are still held captive
by Somali pirates. The international community should not ignore thisbut make it a top priority to rescue these seafarers on humanitarian
grounds. Their safety is of paramount importance to us as shipowners,
and the UN must urgently take concerted actions to tackle the problem,
including the formation of an international regime for combatting piracy”.
Mr Nordin added, “Whilst the UN peace keeping efforts on shore areimportant, we do however think that a solution at sea to resolve thepiracy problem will be just as important. In the ASF Counter Piracy
Proposal, Option 2 proposes the use of converted merchant ships as
floating bases. It is our considered opinion that a better and more viable
alternative could be the use of naval vessels as floating bases if military
assets will be provided”.
Mr James Hughes, Chairman of CGPCS WG1, noted the ASF Counter
Piracy Proposal. During the Meeting he called on WG1 members tofurther reflect on the proposal.
The ASF hopes that the ASF Counter Piracy Proposal will be consideredseriously and brought to fruition by the entire UN body as soon as
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possible. The ASF certainly looks forward to working closely with theCGPCS should the need arise.

********_______________________________________________________________________________For enquiries, kindly contact:
Elvin Tan
Executive Officer
Asian Shipowners’ Forum (ASF)
TelEmailWebsite:::(+65) 6325 4737
elvintan@asf.com.sg
www.asianshipowners.org

The Asian Shipowners’ Forum (ASF) is a voluntary organisation of the shipowners’ associations ofAustralia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and the Federation of ASEAN
Shipowners’ Associations comprising shipping associations of ASEAN countries.
The aim of the ASF is to promote the interests of the Asian shipowning industries.
It has been estimated that ASF owners and managers control and operate nearly 50% of the world's
cargo carrying fleet.

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