Off the wire
• Audi, Volkswagen to conduct voluntary recalls in Australia  • Roundup: Fed officials see rates liftoff in sight this year  • Spotlight: IMF confident of China's economy, highlights structural change, labor productivity  • China's vehicle-purchase tax cut to benefit buyers, automakers: Moody's  • Sri Lankan president vows to continue friendly policy toward China  • Singapore researchers develop 1st animal-free screening platforms to predict toxic kidney injury  • Rare Australian penny to go on display in Sydney  • UN chief welcomes proposal for Libyan unity gov't  • Asian political parties to meet about Belt and Road in Beijing  • Roundup: Australian religious leaders call for collective response to heal community after terror attack  
You are here: 　 Home

20 nations vow to fight against maritime piracy

Xinhua, October 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Senior officers from Australia and 19 other nations attended the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia (ReCAAP) meeting in Sydney this week.

The aim was to reinforce the importance of a regional approach to piracy and armed robbery at sea.

ReCAAP allows countries to better coordinate efforts among its member countries.

Rear Admiral Michael Noonan, Commander of Maritime Border Command of the Australian Border Force (ABF), stressed the importance of ReCAAP as the only multi-nation regional forum dedicated to combatting piracy and sea robbery.

"Australian maritime trade is exposed to the threat of piracy in the same way as other nations who rely on key international shipping routes, and being able to tap into the experience and expertise of the ReCAAP member nations is of great benefit to Australia," Rear Admiral Noonan said in a statement.

"We are a nation reliant on shipping; approximately 130 billion (Australian) worth of Australian trade is transported through the Strait of Malacca every year. ReCAAP strengthens regional capacity to protect sea lanes, and ultimately ensures the safety of seafarers on the high seas.

"Our membership to ReCAAP underscores Australia's commitment to the eradication of piracy and the maintenance of secure and safe trade via the sea."

The meeting was seen as a valuable opportunity for member nations to build strong working relationships and identify opportunities to enhance their capabilities. Endi