KUALA LUMPUR: A "safe channel" has been created in the Gulf of Aden to avert piracy and hijacking.

A coalition of warships and aircraft from several Western countries, including the US Navy, established the Maritime Security Patrol Area to protect commercial ships.

"Merchant ships plying the gulf area are advised to follow coordinates set by the coalition which will provide security through their patrol ships," said Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting centre here.

The safe channel was created after four ships were hijacked in the area, including a chemical/palm oil tanker belonging to Malaysian International Shipping Corporation.

MISC's Bunga Melati Dua was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia on Aug 19. There were 29 Malaysians and 10 Filipinos on board.
The 32,025-tonne tanker was attacked in the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen.

Since Thursday, when MISC said it had established communications with the tanker and was informed of one casualty among the vessel's Filipino crew during the boarding of the vessel by hijackers, there has been no further announcements on the fate of the other crew and the vessel.

Choong told the New Straits Times that vessels plying the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen were also advised to be on 24-hour watch.





"Only an early detection can prevent pirates from boarding."

He said besides changing the ship's course when approached by unidentified vessels, the captain should alert the IMB centre which would seek assistance from enforcement authorities.





Somalia's 3,300km coastline is considered one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water because of piracy.