As the stowaway activity in the South African port of Durban has seen a recent increase, the Japan P&I Club recommended that operators should employ the services of private security guards during the vessel’s port stay at the port and that the crew should remain vigilant at all times.
The National Sea Rescue Institute helped in the rescue of a suspected stowaway on Friday, June 8. The stowaway was injured onboard the ship MI Harmony that had docked into the Port of Port Elizabeth. The man was transported to a hospital for further treatment. His condition is currently stable.
The 42nd session of IMO’s Facilitation Committee took place from 5 to 8 June, focusing on work to the facilitation of international maritime traffic. Data standardisation, single window system, stowaways, maritime corruption were, inter alia, key items on this year’s agenda.
North P&I Club informed that there has been a notable change in stowaway trends over the last year and a half, as an increased activity is reported around a number of European ports. Potential stowaways target Bilbao’s commercial port and are being discovered on board container and general cargo vessels heading for UK ports,
Port of Dakar Authorities have reminded vessels of the security measures concerning watchmen and access, that must be followed when vessels are in port, with respect to illegal emigration, Steamship Mutual P&I Club informed citing information provided by Club Correspondents Budd.
The amendments to FAL Convention have entered into force globally from 1st January 2018, to strengthen seafarers’ rights to shore leave and to achieve the smooth transit in ports of ships, cargo and passengers.
Skuld P&I Club reminded of the potential for an increase in stowaways trying to gain access to vessels in South African ports during the holiday period. From February 2017, the Club had 26 stowaway claims in Durban and 12 stowaway claims in Cape Town.
The Liberian Registry has launched a Cyber and Ship Security Computer-Based Training programme, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of cyber-security issues, including concepts such as malware, network security, identity theft, risk management, and other common threats to maritime security.
The West of England P&I Club informed that it has dealt with 60 cases involving 220 stowaways in the past 12 months, costing over USD 1.6 million to rectify and occupying a considerable amount of time to bring to satisfactory conclusions.
The authorities in South Africa have adopted a rather robust approach with regard to stowaways following a rise in attacks over the last two months. Should any unlawful person gain access onto a ship in a South African port, the person will automatically be deemed to be a stowaway unless the vessel can provide photographic, video or 3rd party evidence (terminal security) that the stowaway attempted to board the vessel in Durban.
