Defeating terrorism, piracy and armed robbery against ships in a collective maritime security system

With increasing global economic development, maritime security constitutes more important role throughout the world. The efforts of the international community including shipmasters, shipowners, international specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations and States concentrate on ensuring the safety and security of ships, repressing acts of maritime violence, imposing obligations upon States, and developing regional agreements between States. As the oceans are used by all and controlled by no one[1], these efforts are very important for global trade and security. Taking into account the security concerns of littoral states, the shipping industry and passengers in general, these efforts continue to try to repress the serious crimes of terrorism, piracy and armed robbery at sea while staying in the lines of the freedoms of the seas that are being protected by state practice and customary international law. In this study, the consequent codification related to the acts of terrorism, piracy and armed robbery against ships and the problems related to the measures aiming to defeat these crimes were examined and recommendations to prevent these crimes were given.[1] Gabel, Jr., George D. (2007), "Smoother Seas Ahead: The Draft Guidelines as an International Solution to Modern-Day Piracy", 21st Biennial Admiralty Law Institute Symposium, 81 Tul.L.Rev.1433, p.1