Tag: security measures

Second ship carrying weapons without papers Days after a mysterious Iranian vessel, loaded with automatic guns, raised suspicion after it was anchored at Lakshwadeep, another ship off Navlakhi port near Morbi has left security agencies in a state of panic.Customs officials have recovered self-loading rifles (SLRs) and live cartridges from the ship, M V Genco Province, which has come from Indonesia carrying coal for Hindustan Zinc.Officials said the weapons were declared to the department earlier but those on the ship did not have papers for weapons and ammunition. The ship has 21 Ukraine nationals and two security guards of Irish nationality. On Monday, senior coast guard, Navy, and police officials visited the Navlakhi port."We recovered four SLRs, which have been procured from the Sri Lankan Naval armory, from security guards on board. As many as 392 live cartridges of foreign make have also been seized. However, the company sending the ship declared only 320 cartridges. Those on the ship don't have the required papers to keep the weapons and are now arranging the same through their embassy," said a senior customs official.Customs officials said they will write to the Sri Lankan authorities to verify the credentials of the vessel and ...

To guard the country's territorial rights and marine interests China sent its largest patrol ship to the East China Sea for its maiden voyage in a bid to guard the country's territorial rights and marine interests there.The 3,000-ton-class Haijian 50 will visit Rixiang Rock, Suyan Rock and the offshore oil and gas fields of Chunxiao and Pinghu, as well as China-Japan joint development zones, said Liu Zhendong, head of the East China Sea fleet of China Marine Surveillance, a paramilitary maritime law enforcement agency.The Chinese-manufactured vessel, a heavyweight compared to the more commonly used 1,000-ton-class patrol ships, is equipped with China's most advanced marine technology and is capable of accommodating China's Z9A helicopters, Liu said.China has 32,000 km of coastline. The total area of its territorial seawater, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, which is recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is 3 million square km.China's 2010 Ocean Development Report released last May said the country's maritime rights and interests face a complicated situation and safety threats, including terrorism, disputes over maritime resources and sovereignty and sea delimitation.Source: Shanghai Daily

Sub-centre, at Antananarivo, Madagascar for SAR coordination purposes A further key link in the plan to provide effective search and rescue (SAR) coverage off the coast of Africa has been established, with the commissioning of a search and rescue sub-centre that will operate in conjunction with the regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town, South Africa.The sub-centre, at Antananarivo, Madagascar, was commissioned on 11 December 2011 by IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, together with Madagascar's Minister for Transports, Benjamina Ramarcel Ramantsoa and Mr. Jérôme Sambalis Director General of the Agence Portuaire, Maritime et Fluviale (APMF).The inauguration of the new facility, which will operate as a joint maritime and aeronautical centre, marks an important step in a process that began at a conference on Search and Rescue and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, convened by IMO in Florence, Italy, in October 2000. African Governments represented at the Conference agreed on a regional approach to the provision of SAR services in western, southern and eastern parts of the continent as well as in island States around Africa.To that effect, they adopted a resolution inviting the African countries bordering the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the nearby ...

Volvo Ocean Race returned to full competition over the weekend All six entries in the Volvo Ocean Race returned to full competition over the weekend as the Cape Town stop-over came to an end and the second stage got underway to Abu Dhabi via the pirate-infested waters of the Indian Ocean.Just three of the original six starters arrived in Cape Town two weeks ago with Spain's Telefonica skippered by Iker Martinez taking first place for leg one. While the New Zealand crewed Camper placed second followed by French entry Groupama, Ian Walker's Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Mike Sanderson's Team Sanya arrived by ship last week after damage on the first night at sea.And Ken Read's Puma Ocean Racing also arrived by ship having diverted to the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha after a dismasting. The last-minute arrivals before Saturday's In-Port Race that counts for 20 per cent of a normal long ocean leg saw Telefonica reverse their first In-Port race result in Spain of last place with another win.Hot on their heels was Chris Nicholson's Camper while Read and Walker disrupted Franck Cammas on the French boat, highlighting what appears to be a significant weakness in Groupama's ...

NEDA calls for upgrades of safety and security strategies The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has called on the maritime sector to upgrade safety and security strategies as well as infrastructure, in line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016.Assistant director-general Ruperto P. Majuca said in a statement that the government aims to promote investments in the shipbuilding industry by focusing on identified markets such as Korea and Japan.By 2014, NEDA expects investments in the industry to grow by P93 billion."With this development, the Philippines could be the fourth-largest shipbuilding nation in the world in the next five to 10 years," Majuca said.Aside from this, Majuca said that the government would continue to explore the development of port facilities through public-private partnership (PPP)."Identified port development projects through PPP would help boost tourism by servicing interisland and international cruise vessels. Postharvest facility projects would also include development of port or transport facilities, in terms of handling agricultural products," explained Majuca.Majuca said the PDP 2011-2016 endeavors to ensure a safe, secure, integrated, and coordinated transport network, including improving the country's roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal system that will enhance interisland logistics.Majuca noted that the maritime sector has been plagued by more than ...

The Club has witnessed an increase in cases of drugs found on board The UK P&I Club issues Circular regarding Effective security measures as follows:The Club has witnessed an increase in cases of drugs found on board members vessels. It is on this point the Club would wish to reinforce the importance of having effective security measures in place to limit the risk of a vessel unwittingly being used to smuggle drugs.The quantities of drugs found onboard vary widely from small amounts carried on a stowaways person to vast amounts smuggled and stowed onboard a ship.It is mandatory for a vessel to have a comprehensive security plan under the ISPS code. However the plan and policies must be properly carried out if they are to be effective.As the drugs must be carried onboard a ship the means of access to the ship should is the first concern. Areas such as the Hawse pipe on the fo'c'stle are often overlooked and may well have been left free and open as the anchors will have been cleared prior to port entry. The hawse pipe should be secured, as illustrated, to prevent unwanted 'visitors' to the vessel. The Spurling pipe leading to the ...

Securewest employs 150 guards in areas like the east African coast, says Devon firm Increasing numbers of former armed forces personnel are finding work protecting merchant ships from pirates, says a Devon firm.Securewest employs 150 guards in areas like the east African coast where pirates prey on ships.And it says there is rising demand for the recruits by shipowners.The International Chamber of Shipping, which represents merchant ship owners, said piracy had "spiralled out of control" since the start of 2011.Clare Williamson-Cary, CEO of Kingsbridge-based Securewest, said ship owners were becoming more confident about having security guards on their ships."There has been a great deal of nervousness among owners about armed guards," she said."But many crews are now reticent about getting on ships unless there is security."The European Union has a naval force, EUNAVFOR, in the Gulf of Aden which is tasked with preventing pirate attacks on merchant shipping.UK Prime Minister David Cameron said in October that he also wanted to see licensed armed guards on British merchant ships.Pirates are holding 11 vessels with 194 hostages around the world, according to the International Maritime Bureau.The International Chamber of Shipping said: "Arming ships is a necessary alternative to avoiding the Indian Ocean ...

Says Neda executive If the Philippines is to become the world's fourth-largest shipbuilding nation in five to 10 years, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said safety and security in the maritime industry must be prioritized.In a statement, Neda Assistant Director General Ruperto Majuca said the movers of the Philippine maritime industry must continue upgrading their standards and implementing the sector's existing plans and strategies, including those outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-16. The plans and strategies include ensuring transport safety and security.Majuca noted that the maritime sector has been plagued with more than 160 accidents a year over the last decade."The maritime industry needs to update regularly their safety and security standards and strictly implement them, to keep up with international benchmarks and practices," Majuca said. "Ensuring the effectiveness of maritime policy should be complemented with advancements in transportation infrastructure, which are crucial in boosting infrastructure development and the services sector. The PDP 2011-16 endeavors to ensure an integrated and coordinated transport network, including improving the country's roll-on, roll-off terminal system, that will enhance our interisland logistics."Majuca also said the shipbuilding and, generally, the entire maritime industry, must be in compliance with international maritime security standards. ...

Ports and harbours have a number of plans to deal with emergencies Ports and harbours have a number of plans to deal with emergencies, but whether or not they come together to be effective is another issue entirely.There's the port security plan, the coastguard's rescue operations, there's the local police and possibly other agencies to deal with such as the fire crews. "In any one port city you will probably find geographic and functional dividing lines all over the place as to who does what in an emergency," explains Mark Woolley of VSTEP. "If established plans and protocols do not work then it can be very dangerous."So, according to Mr Woolley, there is a need to practice responses together. Further, there is, according to him, a need to check what is out of the ordinary and needs to trigger a response. He said, "You may do a lot of training on how to intercept and arrest, but how do you recognise what to look for?" His answer is that a multidisciplinary approach works best.Ideally, he explains, you want an inter-agency tool, one which means port authorities, coastguard, and law enforcement integration.The old problem is that while even pulling say, a ...

Focusing on maritime security issues Clarion Events announced the launch of its inaugural Maritime Security and Surveillance conference, which will address a variety of issues focusing on developing strategies to maximise coastal security, combatting piracy and other crimes at sea, enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and improving harbor and port security by driving multilateral cooperation and capacity building based procurement.To be held at the Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Maritime Security and Surveillance conference will take place from 29 - 31 January 2011.According to Dryad Maritime Intelligence, an estimated $150m was paid in ransoms for ships, cargoes and crews to pirate gangs in 2010 and a record of 1,181 seafarers were kidnapped.Efthimios E Mitropoulos, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stated that piracy costs the world economy between $7bn to $12bn annually.Joanna Edwards, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events Middle East, said: "The Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) is taking threats seriously and has invested significantly in defense and security. In 2010, Forecast International estimated that $68.3bn was invested by the GCC in defense and security technologies. The same report predicts this investment will grow to $82.5bn by 2015. The Maritime Security and Surveillance conference ...