Maritime Security in the 21st Century

Piracy is usually defined in one of two ways. The first, which is utilised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is derived from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Piracy is defined as illegal acts of violence or detention or looting committed by the crew regardless of their nationality, or passengers of a chartered ship or aircraft for private purposes and directed: on the sea, against another ship or aircraft, or person or property on board such a ship or aircraft; for ships, people, property located outside the authority of the state. Another definition of piracy offered by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is “the act of boarding or attempting to board any ship with the evident intent to conduct theft or any other offense and the apparent intent or capability to use force in the promotion of that act.” Any attack or attempted attack on a ship, whether anchored, berthed, or at sea, is covered by the IMB definition.