Following the entry into force of “The Laws on Punishment of and Measures against Act of Piracy” on July 24, 2009, the Japan Self-Defense Force has started vessel escorting operation in the Gulf of Aden. Since then, 81 vessels with various national flags have benefited from the escort operations.
After about one (1) month of operation, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) released reports stating that vessels escorted by the operation are oil tankers, with some cargo ships, car carriers, container ships and LPG carriers. These vessels carried a total of 1,755 crew members, 45% of which were Filipinos.
The new legislation enables the Japan Self-Defense Force to protect vessels from acts of piracy regardless of their nationality, complementing global efforts to ensure a safe passage for ships in response to the rampant acts of piracy and hijacking occurring off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. Japan's Maritime Bureau under MLIT is receiv ing applications from various maritime-related organizations/officers such as ship operators, ship owners/managers, etc. from around the world for escort assistance and safe passage of ships.
１ Pre-registration （ 2009.7.15 ～ 8.31 ）
（１） Number of Registered Compan ies: 158
(including 88 non-Japanese Companies: （ 23 countries ））
（２） Number of Registered Vessels : 3,335
(including 892 vessels of non-Japanese companies ）
２ Result of escort （ 2009.7.28 ～ 8.31 total :13 escort operation s ）
TOTAL 81 vessels （ average: 6.2 vessels ／ one escort operation s ）
• Type of vessels
• Nationality of Operator Companies
• Flag of Vessels
○ Nationality of Crew
