South Africa signs IMO anti-piracy code

The IMO is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

South Africa has become the 19th State to sign the Djibouti Code of Conduct, set up by the IMO to develop regional capacity to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean. Signatories to the Code of Conduct, which has been in effect since 2009, undertake to co-operate in a variety of activities, including the investigation, arrest and prosecution of pirates, the interdiction and seizure of suspect ships and property on board those ships; the rescue of ships, persons and property subject to piracy and armed robbery and the conduct of shared anti-piracy operations.

In addition, the Djibouti Code of Conduct provides for the sharing of related information, through three Information Sharing Centres, established under the Code, in Sana'a, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, the (IMO) statement said.

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