Technology Is Useful Component in Fight against Piracy

The long-term solution to piracy off the coasts of East and West Africa military intervention or armed security guards but economic and political support according to an expert in piracy matters. In a speech to WISTA-UK members held on Thursday 20 February at Tower Bridge House in London, Aleck Burrell, NYA International’s Maritime Operations Manager, said piracy was not about to go away in either region in the short-term.

NYA International is a world leading crisis prevention and response consultancy and was invited to talk about the current piracy issues by WISTA-UK – the international organization of women working in the shipping industry representing naval architects, ship engineers, brokers, lawyers and other maritime related professions. Held at the offices of Mazars, the audit, accountancy, tax and legal services firm, the event was chaired by Martin Brown, Senior Parliamentary Advisor (Africa) who stressed that armed intervention and security would not solve piracy issues.

NYA International has a strong reputation in this field and they outlined the current measures they employ on behalf of shipowners worldwide. With the use of their MarTrack solution, which provides real-time vessel tracking and alerts they are able to offer clients a security blanket using the latest technology. Users can view live vessel tracking, piracy and other essential information on a secure online portal. Says Aleck Burrell, ‘technology tools like MarTrack are extremely useful to ship owners and operators as part of a layered approach to maritime risk management.’

Martin Brown and Aleck Burrell were in agreement about the causes of piracy in the region citing favourable maritime geography, unstable political climates and safe havens ashore as prime reasons for its continuance. During a lively question time that followed, it was made clear by Martin Brown that political intervention, aid and support were vital in combating future piracy.

This was another event supported by WISTA-UK highlighting some of the most important issues in shipping affecting not only women in the industry, but the industry as a whole.

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WISTA, February 24, 2014