The IFC has just conducted the 7th Maritime Information Sharing Exercise (MARISX) from 27 to 29 Jul 21. The exercise seeks to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation in info-sharing between military, enforcement agencies and the shipping community through table-top exercises, in-depth discussions on MARSEC matters and presentations from subject-matter experts across various MARSEC threat categories.
This year’s MARISX was conducted virtually from the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) located at the Changi Command and Control Centre in RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base. The exercise involved more than 160 personnel from 37 countries. They comprised international liaison officers (ILO) based in Singapore, representatives such as company security officers from the shipping community, personnel from operations centres and information sharing centres, and subject matter experts from regional and international maritime organisations.
For the first time, we had shipping companies participating in the table top exercises, dovetailing their company security drills with commercial ships at sea taking part in the exercises real-time.
..said IFC.
First conducted in 2009, MARISX provides a regular platform for the IFC and its maritime security partners to exercise operational linkages and exchange best practices to deal with incidents arising from six key maritime security categories:
- theft, robbery and piracy at sea
- contraband and weapons smuggling
- maritime incidents
- llegal, unregulated and unreported fishing
- irregular human migration; and
- maritime terrorism
The maritime security landscape has evolved in both scale and complexity over the years, with transnational threats evolving continually. COVID-19 further complicated matters in ways we have never experienced before. More than ever, information sharing and practical cooperation are vital.
…said Deputy Commander Maritime Security Task Force/Maritime Security Command, Colonel Rinson Chua.
