Topic: International Cooperation in Combatting Piracy
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Alison Albrecht
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Greece position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Maritime piracy is the act of violent, criminal robbery at sea. Pirates attack vessels and harshly seize whatever they desire on board. The impact of maritime piracy is a reality for the shipping industry in Greece, as well as for the shipping industry worldwide. The coastal nation of Greece has an economy that relies greatly on shipping and trade, and the loss of goods, crew, and ships during a piracy attack takes a toll.
Shipping is the leading industry in Greece, accounting for 6.5% of the annual GDP, and 7% of the total workforce. Greece exports 38.5 billion dollars of goods per year, resulting in 7.5% of Greece’s economic output.They have the largest merchant fleet in the world, with control of 19% of the world’s bulk vessels, and control of nearly 25% of the oil tankers.
Maritime piracy poses as a large threat to Greece, and is not uncommon. According to a survey conducted by the Greek International Symposium of Maritime Security and Environmental Protection, 85% of Greek shipping companies travel through high-risk areas, and 40% of them have been subjected to piracy attack, or attempt.
This issue is not specific to Greece, and has global effects and consequences. Greece believes that the international community needs to take immediate action to prevent maritime piracy. It is the responsibility of this community to respond to this issue and work to prevent attacks. High-risk areas and potential danger zones have been identified, and Greece feels that investing in escorts for vessels when traveling through these areas would be beneficial. Considering that 19% of worldwide attacks in 2013 were taken place on the West African coast, that area in particular needs to be watched closely and monitored by international security. Instead of pooling money and time into repressing these offenses, action needs to be focused on eliminating maritime piracy as a whole.
With the global effects of maritime piracy, and its threats to Greece, this is an extensive issue that needs to be eliminated.
