Tag: maritime security

MV Madina was hijacked while the vessel was in the process of lifting crude oil from oil field The Ghanaian authorities have arrested an oil tanker- MV Madina allegedly conveying stolen crude oil from Nigeria, the Ghana Navy has said.MV Madina was detained on Thursday at the Salt Pond Offshore Producing Company Limited (SPOCL), as it attempted to discharge hijacked crude oil from Nigeria into another vessel at the SPOCL. The Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel M'Bawine Atintande told journalists that guards have been deplored to secure the vessels at the oil fields.The force image maker disclosed that the arrested ship would be entrusted to the ports authorities and the perpetrators shall face the wrath of the law.MV Madina was hijacked while the vessel was in the process of lifting crude oil from a marginal oil producing field in Nigeria into a larger vessel, MV North Wind Grace. The captain and his crew absconded with the vessel.Consequently, the owners of the vessel alerted the Benin and Ghana security and subsequently traced the ship to Ghana.The Chief Executive Officer of Salt Pond Offshore Producing Company limited (SPOCL), Mr. Quincy Sintim Aboagye confirmed the incidence.According to him, ...

NPA said the Agency is taking steps to secure the Nation s Ports In view of the current maritime security challenges around the world and mostly in certain parts of West and Central Africa, the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said the Agency is taking steps to secure the Nation's Ports. The Authority has introduced a tracking system called, "Vessel Tracking System" (VTS) to help in securing the Calabar Ports.Speaking with The Nation in his office, the Agency's General Manager, Public Affairs Department of NPA, Chief Michael Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of management of the Agency on what they are doing about the security and safety of the nation's waters and ports, said, NPA, in her resolve to ensure safety of navigation and protection of the marine environments within the Nation's ports has decided to establish VTS stations in the country.A Vessel Tracking System (VTS), Chief Ajayi explained 'is a service implemented by a competent authority to improve the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic and to protect the marine environment'. The system, according to Chief Ajayi will also protect adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.Explaining how the device ...

Philippine Coast Guard sees a stronger maritime security With two new utility boats and now, new anti-terror equipment, the Philippine Coast Guard sees a stronger maritime security.Philippine Coast Guard chief Vice Admiral Edmund C. Tan said the new anti-terror equipment composed of bullet proof vests, vest carrier, plates, ballistic helmets and visors will be used by the PCG's Special Operations Group-Anti Terrorist Unit."The new protective gears will add safety measures to the protocols set by the PCG in performing life-threatening tasks like vessel boarding, security inspections, and explosive ordnance disposal," said Tan.He added that the new gears are expected to help significantly improve PCG's Anti-Terrorist Unit counter terrorism capability.The new equipment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was personally turned over by Retired Vice Admiral Toshitaka Ishima to the PCG during a ceremony held recently at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Manila.Meanwhile, Tan said aside from the donated equipment, JICA is also working with PCG in sponsoring skills trainings and seminars for our coast guard personnel, adding that this development will immensely enhance PCG's capability in the performance of its mandated task in support of the priority program of the government in maritime security."A better trained and equipped PCG ...

guidelines to protect ships against piracy Internationally, efforts are being made to develop guidelines for security companies used to protect ships against piracy. At a meeting held on 28 February 2012, the Industrial Working Group 3 under the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) almost finalized a document addressed at maritime security companies offering the services of civilian, armed guards to prevent acts of piracy on ships in the Indian Ocean.In addition, the working group almost finalized a document addressed at flag States on the implementation of best practices for preventing piracy.Now, the documents will be submitted to the IMO (United Nations' International Maritime Organization) in the hope is that the IMO can finalize the guidelines at a meeting in May 2012.WG 3 meeting - Industrial Working Group 3 under the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of SomaliaSecurity companiesAt the meeting, draft preliminary guidelines were almost finalized for private maritime security companies (PMSC) offering the services of civilian, armed guards to prevent acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean.The background for the document is that, in recent years, developments have led to a very considerable increase in the use of civilian, armed guards. However, ...

A new, collaborative and secure resource Today sees the launch of Flag Victor, designed to assist ship owners and managers better navigate the selection of audited and reliable security providers.Given the current high threat levels affecting many of the world's major trade routes, many vessel operators are seeking both armed and non-armed guards to protect both vessels and their crews. Flag Victor streamlines this process by providing audited verification of the security providers to standards required by flag states, IMO, insurance, regulatory bodies and internal criteria. This essential step represents a huge saving in time, money and effort to shipping companies and their P&I Clubs. The goal is to increase efficiency in the procurement of maritime security services, ultimately leading to better protection for seafarers and vessels.This innovative platform is based upon a secure online ISO 27001 verified website that increases the transparency and availability of security provision, improves dead/ballast leg functionality and maintains real time information on the capacities and capabilities of PMSCs. The website also offers ship owners the ability to source reputable suppliers for a range of other security needs - ranging from ISPS services to maritime cyber security.The Flag Victor team comprises senior figures in the ...

he vast majority of cargo containers entering the U.S. go unchecked It's been more than a decade since Islamic terrorists attacked the U.S., yet the agency created to protect the nation from another strike is asleep at the wheel, failing to adequately screen the monstrous amounts of cargo that enter the country each day, according to a government report issued this week."Cargo containers that are part of the global supply chain-- the flow of goods from manufacturers to retailers -- are vulnerable to threats from terrorists ," state thegovernment analysts whoassembled data forthe new report.Itmay seem unbelievable to most Americans that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that more than ten years after the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, the vast majority of cargo containers entering the U.S. go unchecked. Incredibly, it's true and the alarming details are outlined in the GAO report published this week by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress.The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 and the Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006 required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take actions to improve maritime transportation security.Also, the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 ...

Through training and collaborative activities Commander Leonard Milliken, Commanding Officer of USS Simpson (FFG-56), a United States Naval Vessel, has stressed the need to strengthen global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities, in order to improve maritime safety and security.Speaking to newsmen during a familiarization tour aboard the vessel on Monday, Cdr Milliken said they were in Ghana to participate in the Africa Partnership Station (APS) programme, an international security co-operation initiative, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships, to improve maritime safety and security on the continent.He said more than 40 maritime professionals from the Ghana Navy, as well as 10 ship riders from partner nations, including Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo and Togo, are beneficiaries of the training programme.The Commanding Officer said the course participants are being taken through topics in basic first aid and basic damage control.Source: GNA

The shooting incident has heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries

Ship Tank RSS Endeavour The Republic of Singapore Navy's Landing Ship Tank RSS Endeavour slips off from Oman, and sets a course for the Gulf of Aden. On board are over 270 personnel and the hardware of the 3rd SAF Task Group deployed for operations there.Endeavour is just days away from the area of operations but the tri-service task group is already dealing with a mounting number of suspicious contacts.

The plague of Somali pirates has spawned a lucrative security industry The plague of Somali pirates marauding across the Indian Ocean has spawned a lucrative security industry that boasts 120 companies providing protection and which the Financial Times says "make more money than the pirates."This growing business earns revenue of some $55.2 million a month for security firms such as Hart Security of Britain and Templar Titan of the United States, which provide armed guards for around 1,500 voyages a month, the business daily says.The pirate gangs that prowl 1,500 nautical miles eastward into the Indian Ocean shipping lanes, including the heavy oil tanker traffic coming out of the Persian Gulf, amassed $160 million in ransom money from shipping lines in 2011."Piracy is a lucrative business not only for Somali pirates but to many profiteers who make more money than the pirates themselves," said Peter Cook, director of U.K. Security Association for the Maritime Industry."Some of them are cowboys -- they have no proper security training, they're inefficient, incompetent and they want money."The Security Association, known as Sami, was established in 2011 to accredit companies offering armed and unarmed guards for ships. Cook estimated that by the end of 2012 ...