Friday, 2nd December 2011 14.15
It was reported recently that a number of Insurers are interested in joining a project to create a private navy to protect ships from the increasing risk of piracy. In a drastic measure to reduce the number of successful attacks, the Convoy Escort Programme (CEP) expects to provide armed patrol boats to escort shipping in areas affected by piracy such as the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. The Insurers involved would provide marine cargo, kidnap, ransom and war risk cover. Initially a fleet of 18 patrol boats has been planned which would each feature a number of smaller faster boats.
Some Insurers are predicting that there will be a steady increase in the number of pirate attacks on shipping during the next few years. According to research, the number of pirate attacks off the coast of Africa is increasing, with pirates venturing further away from the coast to make their attacks.