A global conference designed to offer strategies and solutions for ship owners and operators, coast guards, navies and governments to tackle the worrying rise in maritime piracy and crimes at sea, will be held in Dubai.

Organised by the International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC), Counter-Piracy and Ship Security 2009 is set to be held from December 6 to 9.

Developed in collaboration with the commercial shipping industry and the region's coast guards and navies, it will be a forum for the entire maritime community to come together and debate the issues, whilst not losing sight of the practical solutions that can actually be implemented, said a report.

Recognising that it is critical for the community to continually exchange intelligence and best practice to tackle the problems, Counter-Piracy and Ship Security 2009 will offer case studies and analyses from shipping operators.

Discussions will include operators’ experiences and strategies to mitigate the economic impact of piracy and sea crime, first hand experience of kidnap and ransom negotiations, updates on current coalition military operations, perspectives from international governing bodies and the region's maritime administrations.

The conference will also feature debates on how the complex issues of piracy and sea crime can really be tackled over the short and longer term.

Joanna Edwards, divisional director, IQPC Middle East said: 'With maritime piracy costing the world an estimated $60-70 million in 2008 and a worrying rise in sea crimes across the MENA region, it is of the utmost importance for the maritime community to collaborate and cooperate across the military civilian divide to find strategies that can mitigate the risks and minimize the economic impact on the region.' – TradeArabia News Service