Tag: security measures

Amid continuing reports of piracy, kidnapping, and terrorism incidents against ships, ICS announced launch of the first edition of 'Maritime Security: A Comprehensive Guide for Shipowners, Seafarers and Administrations'.

In the April edition of ‘The SENTINEL Watch’, the International Maritime Security Construct provides the merchant shipping industry with an update on maritime security incidents within the Middle East Region. Of concern was the destruction of an explosive-laden boat by Arab coalition off Yemen. 

Singapore's Information Fusion Centre (IFC) has recorded a total of five incidents against ships in the Eastbound Lane of the Singapore Strait within 2021 so far. Two of them were sea thefts and three were attempred incidents. 

Standard's Club local correspondents in Columbia (A&A Multiprime) issued a circular to infrom on the precautions concerning drugs smuggling at Colombian ports.

The Standard Club reports that according to the amended Pooling Agreement of the International Group, P&I cover in respect of fines for smuggling and breach of customs regulations will no longer provided as of right, but only on a discretionary basis.

In a circular letter to all IMO member states and shipping organizations, the IMO Secretary-General expressed his deep concern about the escalation in the number and severity of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea region and highlighted the need for ships to implement the measures in BMP West Africa.

Mr Pierre Morcos from CSIS ( Center for Strategic & International Studies) mentions that a vast maritime zone of 2.3 million square kilometers and 5700 kilometers of coastline with considerable economic wealth, the Gulf of Guinea has recently been plagued by a succession of acts of piracy, making this maritime space one of the most dangerous and unstable in the world.

In light of the recent increase of pirate activity in the Gulf of Guinea and in the waters under Gabonese jurisdiction, the Gabonese Authorities decided to raise the ISPS Security Level for Gabonese waters and ports from MARSEC Level 1 to MARSEC Level 2, until further notice.

In January 2021, seven incidents of armed robbery against ships were reported in Asia, according to ReCAAP ISC's monthly piracy report. The number of incidents in January 2021 has increased compared to December 2020 (with two incidents), but decreased compared to January 2020 when 12 incidents were reported. 

Amid the continuing security threat for ships in the Gulf of Guinea, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) Maritime Security Committee have produced a set of quick reference bridge cards for use onboard vessels transiting this area​.