Athens: Yoshihisa Endo, executive director of the Singapore-based ReCAAP information sharing centre (ISC), has given a statement setting the record straight on various media reports on ReCAAP’s role in monitoring maritime crime in Asia.
“In the course of this year some media releases regarding the situation in Asia have given rise to a potentially negative perception of the role of ReCAAP,” Endo (pictured) said today. “Specifically, this has manifested itself by asserting that the ReCAAP ISC is downplaying the number of attacks through its classification system or using the term “insider-job.
“The media also reports allegations by some experts of the shipping industry about lack of cooperation with other stakeholders, placement of blame on victim and lack of confidential information on the frequency of siphoning incidents on the part of the ReCAAP ISC,” he continued.
Other commentators have questioned the validity of assessments that only reflect the quantitative aspect of monitoring incidents, rather than the qualitative. “In other words, regardless of the nature of incidents, being hijacking or petty theft, one incident is one incident?” Endo explained.
The executive director says he is taking these comments very seriously, and the ISC remains open to feedback from its stakeholders.
“As the secretary general of the United Nations, Mr Ban KiMoon once rightfully pointed out the unique nature of this crime, “No one agency or one country can address this transnational crime alone; the collective efforts by all the stakeholders are required”, a well-phrased remark,” Endo continued.
Speaking at the annual Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference held last month in Singapore, recent, Endo proposed that qualified stakeholders to work together towards jointly producing guidelines to address the frequency of siphoning incidents in the region.
Endo notes that ReCAAP’s work has been widely praised by IMO’s assistant secretary-general, Andrew Winbow; and Jeffrey Feltman, the under-secretary-general of United Nations, among others.
Interpol, too, has recognised the importance of ReCAAP’s work, Endo said. The international police body has extended its network to assist the shipping industry to address the emergence of siphoning incidents through the sharing of its expertise in combating organised crimes.
ReCAAP’s full name is the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
