African risks
(Somalia) The International Bargaining Forum (IBF) is declaring a high risk area for the territorial waters of Benin and Nigeria, following the increasing number of attacks on vessels and kidnap of crews there.
The designation came into effect on 1 April 2012 in order to allow ship operators to make any necessary preparations. It will afford the same benefits and protections to seafarers in those areas as the High Risk Area in the Gulf of Aden and around Somalia, including: the need for enhanced security measures, advance notice of intent to enter the area, the right to refuse to enter it, and a doubling of the daily basic wage and of death and disability compensation while within the area of risk.
The High Risk Area provisions apply to all ships operated under an IBF agreement. The ITF’s Fair Practices Committee Steering Group will decide on whether to also apply them to all ships under non-IBF ITF agreements. IBF agreements on high risk areas also provide an indicator of good practice to national flag registers.
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