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Maritime Piracy Interferes with Collection of Scientific Data
by Matthew D. Shaffer on July 15, 2011
Over the past few years, as fishing vessels, cargo ships and other types of vessels avoid any travel in the Indian Ocean because of the threat of pirate attacks, it is not just the global economy that has suffered. Collection of scientific data which has traditionally depended on the movement of vessels in these waters has also been impacted. ...
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Maritime Industry Urges UN to Establish Anti-piracy Force
by Matthew D. Shaffer on September 28, 2011
Frustrated at the continuing growth of piracy especially in the Indian Ocean region, shipping industry groups have asked the United Nations to step in and create an armed military force. Four shipping industry associations, including the International Chamber of Shipping, InterCargo, BIMCO and INTERTANKO have written a letter to the United Nat...
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Can I File A Claim Under Maritime Law?
by Dennis M. McElwee on October 25, 2011
Whether you work as a seaman, dockworker or offshore laborer, if you’ve been injured during the course of your marine industry job then you likely have rights under maritime law. Depending on your occupation, your injury claim is subject to different requirements and compensation rules. Qualified maritime lawyers can help you determine which la...
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Focus on Piracy on World Maritime Day
by Matthew D. Shaffer on October 26, 2011
The international maritime community marked September 1 as World Maritime Day. This year, the focus was on eradicating piracy. According to the US Coast Guard, maritime piracy now costs the world economy between $7 billion and $12 billion a year. Staggering as those numbers are, the human costs of piracy are far greater. This World Maritime Da...
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Piracy on the Rise, but Warships Are Thwarting Attacks
by Matthew D. Shaffer on November 10, 2011
The International Chamber Of Commerce International Maritime Bureau’s latest global piracy report has both good and bad news for maritime lawyers. The bad news is that pirate attacks continued to rise this year to record levels. The good news however, is that more and more vessels are being successful in thwarting pirate attacks. According to t...
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What Is Maritime Piracy And Can You File A Claim As A Result Of It?
by Dennis M. McElwee on November 25, 2011
Maritime piracy has been a serious issue facing the global community and international industries for hundreds of years. No longer are the pirates seeking gold or treasure, though. Piracy in this decade target ships carrying oil or goods, and also crewmembers have been taken hostage. Global efforts to stem the tide of piracy have been met with ...
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Changing Pirate Tactics Challenge Maritime Industry
by Matthew D. Shaffer on December 22, 2011
The international community has intensified efforts to prevent pirate attacks, and it is not surprising to see that pirates have been changing tactics to keep pace too. Typically, pirate attacks slump during the monsoon season. However, this year, the International Maritime Bureau has issued a statement warning seamen and shipping companies of ...
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British Government OKs Armed Guards to Protect Ships from Pirate Attacks
by Matthew D. Shaffer on January 06, 2012
The British government has finally agreed to allow British-flagged vessels to carry armed guards to protect them from pirate attacks. Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron announced that he was allowing this measure in order to protect vessels from pirate attacks, especially off the coast of Somalia. According to the British government, no vessel th...
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IMO Looks Back at 12 Months of Progress in Combating Piracy
by Matthew D. Shaffer on February 02, 2012
The International Maritime Organization has released data to mark 12 months of battling piracy. According to the statistics, the number of vessels held captive by Somali pirate gangs has dropped from 33 ships in February to 13 at the beginning of December. Further, the number of seamen being held captive by Somali pirates has dropped from 733 in...
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Conference on Somali Piracy Discusses Maritime Security, Counterterrorism
by Dennis M. McElwee on March 12, 2012
The problem of Somali piracy is a complicated one, and includes a number of issues, from socio-economic collapse to tribal rivalries that need to be taken into consideration. The British Prime Minister recently hosted an international conference on Somali piracy. The conference included representatives from more than 40 countries and internati...
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Drop in Pirate Attacks, But Numbers Still Too High
by Dennis M. McElwee on March 21, 2012
In 2011, there was a decline in the number of pirate attacks reported across the world, including the Somali Coastline where most of these incidents occur annually. However, according to the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center, the decline has been slight, and maritime piracy lawyers must continue their concern over piracy off ...
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Repressing Maritime Piracy Under International Law
by Dennis M. McElwee on May 01, 2012
Maritime piracy has existed nearly as long as maritime shipping and commerce. Knowing a little about the history of prosecuting pirates and how international law has evolved can help a maritime lawyer in cases involving victims of this crime.Crime Against CommerceIn the past, maritime traditions quickly developed to give jurisdiction to any nati...
