Merchant vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean should take protective measures as the risk of pirate attacks still exists, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Namely, the topic was highlighted during a meeting between IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and Operation Commander Major General Rob Magowan of the EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta.
The parties agreed that the merchant vessels should continue with protective measures against possible piracy attacks through diligent application of IMO guidance and Best Management Practices (BMPs).
The two agreed that naval forces are still very much required in the West Indian Ocean to help prevent a possible resurgence of piracy.
Operation Atalanta, which operates off the coast of Somalia, has seen its counter-piracy mandate extended to the end of 2018. The operation was previously scheduled to end in mid-December 2016.