EU – Baltic States, Forum, Lithuania, Security, Transport

At the seminar, Lithuanian mariners, sea captains and ship owners were acquainted with the measures of maritime security for self-defence against possible pirate attacks. Secretary General of the European Community Shipowner's Association Alfons Guinier, representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Commission, NATO and the Lithuanian armed forces delivered speeches at the seminar. Director of the Transatlantic Cooperation and Security Policy Department of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gediminas Varvuolis and Chairman of the Board of the Lithuanian Shipowners' Association, Chief Executive Officer of Limarko Shipping Company Vytautas Lygnugaris welcomed the participants of the event.

Statistics during the past few years show overall increase in number of pirate attacks, especially off the Horn of Africa. In 2009, there were more than 400 pirate attacks.

Representatives of international organizations stressed that in order to protect crews and ships, it was important to implement the best management practices for the enhancement of maritime security (http://www.eunavfor.eu/downloads/). The officials stressed that the crews that followed this advice could significantly reduce the probability that a pirate attack on their vessel would be successful.

The ship crews were encouraged to inform the EU Maritime Security Centre about entry into a high-risk zone. Mariners can inform the Centre about their movements through the region here: website http://www.mschoa.org/.

Representatives from the Lithuanian armed forces provided information and gave advice to mariners on the necessary actions of the crew members in case of a ship seizure.

The participants of the seminar discussed what steps the international community should take in order to create an efficient system of criminal prosecution of piracy. They also discussed anti-piracy cooperation between international organizations and state institutions.