Minimising the impact of the Libyan operation on merchant shipping
NATO is working to ensure that shipping in the Mediterranean, one of the world’s most important shipping areas, is not disrupted by its mission in Libya. Some 30 percent of all international sea-borne trade by volume comes from, passes through, or is directed to ports in the Mediterranean. This includes 18 per cent of the world's sea-transported oil.
As part of Operation Unified Protector (OUP), NATO is enforcing the arms embargo around Libya established under UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. The Maritime Commander Naples (MC Naples), in cooperation with the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) located at Maritime Command Northwood UK, is seeking to deconflict between merchant shipping and naval forces, in the maritime approaches to Libya.
As Vice Admiral Rinaldo Veri, Commander of Unified Protector Maritime Component Command has emphasised since the very start of the maritime embargo, “this mission is not only about enforcement. There are ships out there trying to carry out legitimate business with Libya. The country needs supplies… My headquarters and the crews of the NATO maritime group carry out an essential coordination role to allow these legitimate movements to take place. We tell these ships exactly what they must do, and if they follow all our instructions they can proceed with minimum disturbance,” he said.
Through MC Naples and the NSC, NATO can monitor all relevant shipping activity that goes through the Maritime Surveillance Area that covers the Libyan coast.
As of 27 June, a total of 1531 vessels had been hailed and 126 boardings have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations. In eight rare cases – where it was assessed that the shipments could pose a danger to civilians – ships were denied passage.
Keeping track of ships
Due to the circumstances and the tense situation in this area of the Mediterranean, ships that have no business in Libya or in Libyan waters are normally choosing to avoid the Maritime Surveillance Area altogether. Therefore, to keep track of any ships that intend to enter the area, the NSC utilised the Format Alfa as the appropriate reporting format.
The Format Alfa is a standardised reporting format consisting of a dozen questions relating to the ship, voyage and cargo. The format enables the Maritime Commander to track and deconflict with merchant ships and at the same time make the reporting process as quick and easy as possible for masters. The Format Alfa report has already been in use in the ongoing Operation Active Endeavour (NATO’s anti-terrorism maritime operation in the Mediterranean) since 2001.
The same report is now mandatory for all ships entering the Maritime Surveillance Area around Libya.
In addition to sending the Format Alfa report to NSC, all ships entering the Maritime Surveillance Area, must also contact MC Naples by phone, email or any other form of clear communication.
Promoting safety
The NSC is NATO`s point of contact with the Maritime Community and as part of this the NSC has dedicated a part of its homepage (www.shipping.nato.int) to support MC Naples by providing information about OUP to the shipping community.
“This communication platform is used to post multiple information useful for mariners going in and out of Libya. Amongst them, Navigational Warnings (NAVWARN) in force and information collected by MC Naples from ships leaving Libyan harbors”, explains Cdr. Stein Olav Hagalid, branch head of the NSC.
MC Naples also receives reports on the conditions in Libyan ports from the masters of ships which have berthed there. These reports are then published on the NSC website (From Mariners to Mariners). This allows shipping companies all over the world to make their own safety assessment prior to sending ships to Libya.