Japan MSDF escort operation notice
- The advisory states that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has started escort operations on 13 March 2009.
- The escort operation aims to protect ships regardless of their nationalities from acts of piracy.
- The advisory specifies the geographic coverage as the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Coast of Somalia.
- The advisory ties escort availability to applications by shipping parties interested in protection from possible piracy attack in those regions.
Who must take action
- The advisory requires all concerned persons to comply with the pre-registration and information steps for those interested in applying for escort.
- The advisory applies to shipping companies/ship operators/ship managers that seek MSDF escort protection for their ships.
- Shipowners/operators who apply for MSDF escorts must follow the reporting obligation to MARINA under the advisory’s rules.
- Interested parties must act through pre-registration with MLIT of the Government of Japan.
Pre-registration with Japan MLIT
- The advisory requires interested parties to pre-register with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of the Government of Japan.
- The pre-registration is required to provide the necessary information or details of the ship needing escort protection.
- The advisory directs that the pre-registration form can be downloaded from the MLIT website at //mlit.go.jp/maritime/gaikoh/pirate/index.html.
- The advisory requires the completed pre-registration form to be filled up and sent to MLIT Anti-Piracy Contact and Coordination Office.
Required submission details
- The advisory requires submission to MLIT Anti-Piracy Contact and Coordination Office by email.
- The advisory specifies the email address as INFO-PIRACY@mlit.go.jp.
- The advisory requires that the pre-registration form be completed with the ship information necessary for escort coordination.
Mandatory written notice to MARINA
- The advisory requires all shipowners/ship operators who applied for MSDF escorts to inform MARINA in writing.
- The written notification must be made immediately upon pre-registration with MLIT.
- The advisory makes this written reporting obligation a condition tied to the MSDF escort application process.
Administrative purpose and guidance
- The advisory issues for information and guidance purposes for maritime stakeholders regarding MSDF escort access.
- The advisory frames MSDF escort protection as available to ships seeking protection in the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Coast of Somalia against piracy threats.
- The advisory provides the coordination mechanism through MLIT pre-registration and subsequent written notification to MARINA.