Bridge Watch: Indian Ocean High Risk Designation to be Withdrawn

The Indian Ocean “High Risk Area” (HRA) was previously reduced in size as of September 2021. After more than a decade, the HRA designation is now set to be removed altogether.

The removal will be effective from January 1, 2023. In this week's Bridge Watch, CEO Corey Ranslem talks about what the termination of the Indian Ocean HRA means for vessels transiting the area.

The High Risk Area was established in 2010 at the height of the Somalia piracy threat. According to the EU Naval Force, during the 2010-2011 timeframe, a merchant ship was attacked by Somali pirates nearly every other day on average, with 415 attacks and almost 80 successful highjackings over the course of two years.

Despite the withdrawal of the HRA, some companies are still planning to employ private maritime security companies and personnel onboard their vessels in the region. In the first instance, Corey recommends that ship owners and operators access unbiased maritime security risk intelligence prior to planning their transit. In this way, transits can be planned with a full understanding of the current maritime security risk environment and geopolitical situation of the region in which they are operating.

Where necessary, the risk intelligence and transit risk assessments will advise on the use of PMSCs.