S’pore to lead anti—piracy efforts in Aden Gulf for third time

SINGAPORE: Singapore will command a multinational anti—piracy task force in Aden Gulf for the third time.

The stint will take place from March to June 2013.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Chan Chun Sing announced this as he presented 186 servicemen with medals on Thursday for their contributions in the Gulf.

The servicemen were part of the returning Singapore task group that operated in the Gulf since September 2012.

Mr Chan said: "Much of the shipping that transits our Singapore port passes through the Gulf. Hence, when piracy in the Gulf of Aden threatens the freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping, it impacts Singapore’s security and economic well—being directly.

"It is therefore in our interest to contribute to the international counter—piracy effort."

Mr Chan also noted that the effort has resulted in the decline of successful pirate attacks.

Singapore has deployed four task groups to the Aden Gulf since April 2009.

The International Maritime Bureau reported that the number of pirate attacks in the Gulf has dropped to a third of its previous high of 214.

— CNA/lp