Context: In a positive end to a hijacking attempt in the North Arabian Sea, marine commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy on Friday evening secured and safely evacuated all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from merchant vessel Lila Norfolk.

News:

The vessel, Lila Norfolk, transmitted a message through the UK Maritime Trade Operations portal while being approximately 460 nautical miles off the Eyl coast in Somalia.

• The message conveyed a potential boarding incident involving five to six unidentified armed individuals.
• In response, the Indian Navy redirected the INS Chennai, a destroyer engaged in anti-piracy patrols in the vicinity.
• Furthermore, a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) conducted a flyover of the ship in the morning, establishing contact and ensuring the well-being and safety of the crew.

Arabian Sea

• Geography: It covers a total area of about 1,491,000 square miles (3,862,000 square kilometers) and is surrounded by the Indian Peninsula, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Horn of Africa
• Formation: The Arabian Sea is estimated to have formed around 45 to 60 million years ago during the Paleogene period as a result of tectonic plate movements
• Marine Life: It supports a diverse range of marine life, including pelagic fish, tuna, sardines, billfish, and sharks. However, periodic occurrences of fish mortality due to a lack of oxygen in the water have been reported
• Historical Significance: The Arabian Sea has been an important trade and cultural route for centuries, connecting India and Europe. It has been referred to by several names in historical texts, such as the Erythraean Sea, Sea of India, and others
• The Arabian Sea holds strategic significance as it intersects numerous key shipping routes and hosts major ports, serving as a crucial pathway for global trade and commerce. Abundant in oil and natural gas Resources, the sea plays a vital role in meeting the energy needs of the region.
• With its pivotal location, the Arabian Sea serves as a significant theater for naval operations, accommodating naval bases for countries like India, Iran, and the United States. It shares borders with crucial nations such as Iran, Pakistan, and India, making it strategically important for regional security and stability.

The hijacking attempt in the Arabian Sea is on the rise due to several factors:

• Houthi attacks: Since November, Houthi rebels have targeted commercial ships with drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, which has encouraged hijackers.The Iranian-backed Houthis claim to target Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
• Piracy: The hijacking of commercial ships by Somali pirates, which posed a significant challenge, has declined in recent years after the United States and other countries increased their efforts to combat piracy.However, the threat of piracy still exists, and pirates may be taking advantage of the situation due to the Houthi attacks
• Lack of naval presence: The growing attacks have prompted many shipping companies to reroute their vessels, which may leave some areas vulnerable to hijacking attempts

Threats Posed by Maritime Piracy:
1. Physical Harm, Kidnapping, and Humanitarian Concerns:

• Pirates can cause physical harm to crew members and passengers, often resorting to kidnapping for ransom.
• Incidents of piracy can lead to trauma and psychological distress among those affected.

2. Disruption of Trade:

• Maritime piracy can disrupt trade routes, causing delays in the transportation of goods and impacting global trade.

3. Economic Losses:

• Businesses may suffer financial losses due to stolen cargo, ransom payments, increased insurance premiums, and the expenses associated with implementing anti-piracy measures.

4. Impact on Fishing Industry:

• Fishing vessels are sometimes targeted by pirates, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen and affecting the availability of seafood.

5. Environmental Risks:

•    Pirates engaging in illegal activities like oil theft or pollutant dumping pose environmental threats to marine ecosystems.

6. Security Concerns:

•    The presence of piracy raises security concerns for coastal regions and international waters, necessitating heightened naval and maritime security efforts.

7. Global Security:

•  Piracy can be linked to broader security issues, such as terrorism and organized crime, creating challenges for international security.

Steps Taken by India:
1. Operational Steps:

• Deployment of naval ships with armed helicopters for patrolling piracy-prone areas.
•    Commencement of anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since October 2008.
•    Deployment of task groups comprising destroyers and frigates for maritime security operations.
•    Enhanced aerial surveillance using long-range maritime patrol aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for comprehensive maritime domain awareness.

2. Multilateral Cooperation:

•    Participation in multilateral fora, including the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) and the Regional Maritime Security Initiative (RMSI).

3. Institutions Created

•     Establishment of Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) and Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to maintain maritime security.
•    Coordination with the Coast Guard to enhance surveillance within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

4. Legislative Steps:

•    Enactment of the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022, aimed at arresting and prosecuting pirates to strengthen the fight against piracy.
•    Implementation of the SAGAR (Security and Growth For All in the Region) Doctrine, providing a framework for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.