Risk Intelligence welcomes enhanced initiatives that improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea

The security situation in the Gulf of Guinea is serious and the risk of piracy to seafarers is understandably on the agenda of the seafarers, shipowners, the media, and politicians from shipping nations around the world. Not to mention the countries and wider stakeholders involved in the region. While not a silver bullet, CEO Hans Tino Hansen welcomes the enhanced initiatives announced this week to improve security in the area.

21 January 2021

The Danish initiative to establish an international naval force in the Gulf of Guinea with a couple of warships is certainly not the silver bullet to solve the threat of piracy, as some people seem to think, but it will be an important addition to the counter- and Anti-Piracy operations in the area. The naval vessels will most likely have some impact on the overall security level; however, this depends on them being in the right position at the right time, within range with boats and/or helicopter, and their ability to interdict and intervene to piracy incidents, not least having the ability to conduct opposed boardings. This will also depend on their mandate and rules of engagement.

The presence of warships could, at least temporarily, change the area of operations of the pirates and thereby reduce the pirates’ ability to target vessels freely in the naval AOR. The success of the naval operation will depend on a range of factors but will certainly help to reduce the risk of operating in the area. Still, it is only one part of the jigsaw and should not be seen as a solution to piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

More importantly, the Danish initiative is an effective signal to the seafarers and shipowners that something is being done and their concerned voices are finally being heard by the politicians. Furthermore, with naval assets in place, the government communicates political will to the countries in the region that international shipping nations are willing to address the difficult situation with more immediate measures than the important long-term capability building programmes, that they are already engaged in. This combined strategic message is probably the most significant effect of the proposed initiative.

Hans Tino Hansen
CEO