Navy holds discussion on securing of trade vessels

Dina Indrasafitri -

The Indonesian Navy on Wednesday held a discussion with a number of stakeholders in the marine sector regarding future plans to ensure the security of Indonesia's trade ships after an Indonesian ship was hijacked by Somali Pirates in March.

The pirates also took hostage 20 Indonesians who were the crew of the MV Sinar Kudus, which belongs to a private shipping company.

The results of the meeting would be used as input for future steps that could include standard operating procedures for securing ships, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Soeparno said in his closing speech.

"There has been a unified vision, which basically says the [military] are not hired soldiers ... we are ready to provide security..." Navy deputy chief of staff of the Vice Admiral Marsetio said.

Navy spokesman First Admiral Tri Prasodjo added that there was currently a lack of regulations regarding the process by which the navy could help secure ships under normal conditions.

The list of participants at the discussion included representatives from the Foreign Ministry as well as businesspeople.

Capt. Samuel Sampe Lobo from the shipping company PT Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line said his company once paid US$26,000 for a foreign insurance company that said it would insure the company for losses of up to US$5 million should instances such as piracy befall his ship.

The insurer's recommendations on the matter included for the company to install wires and armed guards on the ship.

"My hope [regarding the securing of trade vessels] is that Indonesian soldiers handle this directly. This is a matter of nationalism," he said.

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