The Daily View: Shadow pots and kettles
RUSSIA is of the opinion that shipping regulation has become overtly politicised, unbalanced and disrupted.
They are correct, of course, but given that Russia is at least partly responsible for that disruption, their bid to re-enter the International Maritime Organization’s ruling council on a ticket of being the sober, re-balancing upholder of international rules will inevitably raise eyebrows.
Russia hasn’t exactly cornered the market when it comes to irony-free finger pointing.
“They are the most aggressive abuser and violator of international agreements and international norms,” US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said of Russia earlier this week when discussing their failed bid to get back into the IMO’s aviation sister agency ICAO.
“How could we let someone come into a world organization that is truly making the airspace more dangerous, not more safe?”
Well, quite.
The vote for the IMO Council is shaping up to be less about which countries we want leading maritime regulatory debates, and more about which one governments want to embarrass more, the US or Russia.
In a week where Vladimir Putin has labelled the French navy “pirates” and then offered a unique interpretation of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea by threatening to “destroy them”, it might be argued that now more than ever we need some level-headed government engagement at the IMO.
There are no silver bullets when it comes to dealing with the complex set of political and commercial interdependencies of the shadow fleet. But there are some good places to start.
Boracay(IMO: 9332810), the sanctioned tanker at the centre of the current ill-tempered war of words between Paris and Moscow was blatantly flying the fake flag of Benin when it was pulled over by the French. It is one of over 400 ships operating outside of any legitimate registration.
Stamping out these fraudulent covers for shady shenanigans at sea is unlikely to be a question of French naval patrols or Russian name calling. What would deal with it, is a robust, consensus-driven approach by the 176 member state governments of the IMO coming up with a plan of action.
Instead they seem content with sporadically tutting and hoping it might all go away before the next legal committee meeting requires them to point out that it all looks a bit tricky and requires some more thought.
Grey zone attacks and hybrid warfare will not be resolved within the walls of Albert Embankment, but leadership from government experts who recognise the importance of safe, secure trade lanes at sea are an important voice that needs to be heard.
Richard Meade,
Editor-in-chief, Lloyd’s List
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
