CMA CGM reported that its security measures are sufficient to keep operating in the Persian Gulf region, following concerns over a possible dispute between Iran and major global powers, Reuters reports, although the shipping company halted its operations in Iran in 2018 following the US sanctions.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has given his assent to the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill of 2019, in an unprecedented move to enhance security on the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
ISPS Code requires from a shipping organization to conduct security internal audits in an effort to monitor and assess the level of managed vessels’ compatibility to security regulations and the effectiveness of the implemented Ship Security Plan.
From 1st April 2018, all companies operators and ROs acting o behalf of the Panama Maritime Administration must follow certain procedures to conduct verification audit process. This aims to ensure the correct implementation and certification of the ISPS Code on board Panamanian flagged ships, operating in international waters.
The Panama Maritime Authority issued a Circular to alert Shipowners, operators, masters, companies of Panamanian flagged vessels to implement the security measures needed to prevent stowaways from entering, either at sea or on arrival. When a stowaway is discovered, it reflects that the vessel failed to implement its Ship Security Plan.
According to the ISPS Code, it is a requirement for all vessels to have a Ship Security Plan (SSP) on board including all protective measures that the crew should apply at each security level. Also, SSP should demonstrate the restricted areas and provide guidelines for an effective implementation of the Code, with Risk Assessment forms and checklists to be used by key personnel during several activities on board.
Following the two tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman last week, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) issued a ship security advisory recommending operators of all RMI-flagged vessels transiting this area to circulate it to their ships ‘by the most expeditious means possible’.
Following the two suspected attacks against tankers transiting the Gulf of Oman Thursday, INTERTANKO and OCIMF noted that these attacks appears to have been well-planned and coordinated and recommended operators to review associated BMP5 guidance.
Colombian authorities are very alert to drug related issues and frequently search vessels both onboard and underwater in response to intelligence reports. As such, the local P&I Consultants Pandi Colombia have provided some precautionary anti-narcotics guidelines for operators who trade in Colombia.
The US Coast Guard issued a safety bulletin informing the maritime industry of recent email phishing attempts that targeted commercial vessels. Additionally, USCG has received reports of malicious software designed to disrupt shipboard computer systems.
