Indian Navy rescues MV Lila Norfolk from Somali Pirates

The Indian Navy's successful rescue operation of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship, MV Lila Norfolk, from a hijacking attempt by Somali pirates has garnered praise from the global shipping community. This comes at a time when the industry is facing challenges from Houthi militant attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The MV Lila Norfolk, en route from Port Du Aco (Brazil) to Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain with 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, faced a hijack attempt off the coast of Somalia. The vessel reported the incident on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal, stating that five to six armed individuals had boarded on the evening of January 4. In response, the Indian Navy swiftly deployed INS Chennai, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, and the long-range Predator MQ9B drone to assist and thwart the hijack attempt. The cargo ship is owned by Lila Global, a dry bulk and tanker shipping company affiliated with Dubai-based Global Marketing Systems Inc (GMS), led by Dr Anil Sharma. Dr Sharma was recently recognised in the 'Lloyd's List Top 100 Most Influential People in Shipping Industry' for the 14th consecutive year, making him the only individual of Indian origin to achieve this recognition consistently since 2010. Lloyd's List, a prestigious maritime publication, acknowledges key figures who significantly impact the maritime world. Dr Sharma's enduring influence and leadership in the global maritime sector place him among an elite group of seven individuals worldwide consistently recognised in all 14 editions of the list. Under Dr Sharma's guidance, GMS has played a crucial role in advocating for and implementing sustainable ship recycling practices. His efforts were instrumental in the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) across the Indian sub-continent, a significant step towards environmental stewardship. The HKC, adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), will enter into force in June 2025 after ratification by 15 states representing 40% of world merchant shipping by gross tonnage and meeting specific ship recycling volume criteria. Despite the challenges faced in its 16-year journey, the Convention's entry into force reflects the commitment of maritime nations. India, being one of the top five ship recycling nations globally, acceded to the Convention in November 2019. Dr Sharma's leadership extends not only to GMS but also to Lila Global, a ship-owning company aligning with environmental goals by focusing on mid-life ship efficiency. Dr Sharma expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasising the collective efforts of GMS and Lila Global in building cross-sector collaboration and promoting sustainable practices in maritime trade. His leadership, along with the forward-thinking approach of Lila Global, positions the companies at the forefront of the industry's transformative journey towards sustainability and responsible fleet management.