KARACHI, March 8: The need for information sharing in dealing with the challenges of maritime security was emphasised at the fourth international maritime conference, which was part of the Aman-11 multi-national maritime security exercise that formally got under way on Tuesday. Different features of maritime security were deliberated upon at the conference entitled “Maritime security management-contemporary challenges and need for global cooperation”, which was held at the National Centre for Maritime Policy Research, Bahria University.

The conference was followed by an impressive maritime counter-terrorism demonstration by the special services group of Pakistan Navy at Manora.

It was a fine display of strength and interoperability of various elements against terrorism that depicted prime dedication of the navy with the present global concern over the issue of terrorism.

The demonstration included fast manoeuvres by hovercrafts and military assault boats, insertion of air assault teams through helicopters, parachute jumps by commandos, coordinated beach assaults and reinforcement followed by extractions.

Earlier speaking at the conference, scholars from Pakistan, speakers from the US, the UK, China and Canada presented papers on maritime issues like maritime information sharing and non-traditional security challenges.

They said that security of sea lanes had assumed more importance than past as global economy was dependent on sea lanes for trade and energy flows.

Dr Stanley B. Weeks, professor at the US Naval War College, said that ensuring sea lane security would require all nations to increase maritime domain awareness and cooperate in providing maritime assets to respond to threats and emergencies.

Prof Wang Dehua, Vice President of Shanghai Institute of International Strategic Studies, China, emphasised that efforts should be made for harmonious oceans through maritime confidence building measures.

It was noted that current major threats to the security of sea lanes were increasingly non-traditional, which all nations could agree to cooperate in countering.

They included maritime piracy, maritime terrorism, proliferation of weapons, weapons of mass destruction and missiles, besides illegal trafficking in drugs, people and goods.

Importance of long-range identification and tracking was also highlighted at the conference. However, it was noted that potential existed for the misuse of shared tracking data by pirates or criminal groups and by some nations desiring to restrict customary and treaty navigational freedoms.

The US scholar said: “Piracy has become a worldwide phenomenon and increased pirate activity off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden is now a serious global concern. To deal effectively with major challenges like sea lanes security and increasingly non-traditional threats, sharing of maritime information is an essential,” he said.

It was noted that maritime security challenges in the Arabian Sea were both multidimensional and multifaceted and involved a host of non-traditional or non-military threats and challenges. Growing maritime terrorism and piracy in the Indian Ocean region resulted in the formation of many coalition’s operations against maritime terrorism and piracy and drug trafficking. It was said that Pakistan Navy was the only regional navy to form part of the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan and, despite its resource constraints, contributed significantly towards the regional maritime security.

The speakers added that Pakistan was the only regional country to have been entrusted with the command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 in addition to that of CTF 150. The overall goal was to ensure security of sea lanes and the overall maritime commons for safe use by all nations, they said.

Earlier, a colourful flag-hoisting and opening ceremony was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard. Ships of the participating navies, observers, foreign diplomats and a large number of Pakistan Navy officers and men attended the ceremony.

Pakistan Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Abbas Raza said that Pakistan Navy’s initiative of multinational exercise Aman-11 was an effort that would surely improve response, tactics and procedures to enhance interoperability in joint operating environment. The exercise was focused on combating and countering all illegal activities, particularly in North Arabian Sea which was very critical to future energy security and served as lifeline of world energy economies, he added.

Admiral Abbas said that crime and terrorism were not confined to specific boundaries rather their effects were felt all over the world. This also has the potential to create an impact on maritime trade of the region and of the world. He said that use of sea routes by terrorists, human trafficking, smuggling and piracy were major concerns. “We need to make collective efforts to eliminate these for lasting peace in the region,” he added.

He extended a warm welcome to the participating navies and hoped that this joint exercise would help find common answers against maritime threats.

He also appreciated participating nations for supporting Pakistan’s resolve to ensure peace in the region.