Million-mile patrol: Vice-Admiral William Gortney, commander of US naval forces Central Command

摘要

A preventative strategy to thwart piracy off the coast of Somalia has already paid dividends thanks to a multinational approach. However, Vice-Admiral William Gortney tells Alex Vatanka he is keen to see stronger support from the shipping industry and global collaboration.rnThe US has been pushing for tougher measures to respond to attacks on shipping from pirates operating out of Somalia. Despite a resurgence of attacks in April 2009, Vice-Admiral William Gortney, commander of US naval forces Central Command and commander of the Fifth Fleet, operating in the Middle East, believes that recent measures have had an impact.rnAccording to Vice-Adm Gortney, a new strategy had to be adopted when pirate attacks spiked in late 2008. In tandem with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), his command had previously reduced the number of hijackings by pushing the shipping lanes from 60-80 miles to 200 miles off the Somali coast. The August 2008 decision of a northern Somali clan to hijack ships changed the equation. Within a couple of days, the number of incidents shot up and required a new response.