by Mak

Created on: April 19, 2009

International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is the specialised branch of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) dedicated in dealingwith all types of maritime crimes and malpractices. One of the area of principal expertise for International Maritime Bureau is in suppressing maritime piracy.

Alarming growth of maritime piracy all over the world and specially in Malacca strait lead IMB to create Piracy Reporting Center (PRC) in 1992. PRC is based at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and it operates 24 hours. It provides free services to maritime community on piracy related matters. Earlier ship's Masters had problem in reporting attempted piracy or actually piracy incidences that took place on board his vessel. Often local law enforcing authorities used turned their eyes on piracy related matters to avoid unnecessary hassles. Even sometimes it was a controversy that in which country's jurisdiction the incidence has occurred. Masters had no hoice left but to report the incidence to their head office and close the case.

Since creation of PRC by IMB has made it much simpler. Ship Masters can report any such incidence 24 hours to the reporting center. It has become now first contact for most of the vessel encountering attempted or actual piracy on board.

IMB's Piracy Reporting Wing has wide governmental and maritime authority contacts for sharing information. The bureau is dedicatedly engaged in creating piracy awareness among shipping industry and community in suppressing maritime piracy.

IMB's website http://www.icc-ccs.org/ contains many valuable information for the shipping community as well as general publics. Live piracy reports provide up to date information of any attempted piracy that has been foiled by crew members or if any actual piracy has been taken place. IMB's live piracy map shows all the reported incidence of attempted or actual piracy that has been take place in the year. The map gives a good guidance to shipping company and ship Masters in preparing according before proceeding to particular zones. Various advanced piracy warnings makes ships Masters aware of recently developed incidences and advise crew members to maintain vigilance while crossing the reported areas.

ICC's IMB is a voluntary organization dedicated to create awareness on piracy among shipping community and help avert piracy incidences. Major parts of its operational expenses are from donations. It is doing commendableworks for shipping community in fighting maritime piracy. With the support of the maritime community and authorities ICC's IMB expected very soon to stretch their helping hands much longer than what they are able to do now.

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