Coast Guard ready to tackle new piracy threat in Andaman Sea

Port Blair, Sep 15 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guards authority of Andaman and Nicobar is planning to counter piracy threat which may occur due to setting up of a trans-shipment port in Great Nicobar Island-- the southernmost landmass in the Indian Ocean.

''If the trans-shipment port comes up in Great Nicobar, it would come with threats like piracy and marine pollution, which we are ready to counter,'' Commander of Coast Guard Region of Andaman and Nicobar Inspector General S P Sharma said.

Recently the Union Government has given positive indications towards setting up a trans-shipment port in Great Nicobar Island.

Talking to reporters here today, the IG said piracy exist in nearby Malacca Strait, which is one of the world's busiest sea lane.

When international ships start coming to Great Nicobar, Coast Guard will prepare itself to counter piracy.

Strategically located in the east-west international sea trade corridor with a natural draught of 18 metres, the island is capable of receiving the world's largest cargo vessels, the Coast Guard Chief added.

Colombo, which is trans-shipment hot spot, now has a depth of only 13 metres. Because of Great Nicobar's location and shorter gateway to eastern ports like Singapore, foreign vessels would be able to save time and cut cargo interest paid by Indian exporters for loading and offloading in Colombo, he said.

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