Piracy and criminal acts against commercial vessels is on the rise globally
UK-based security consultant NYA International has launched MarTrack, which it describes as a “unique and proprietary maritime risk management and vessel tracking system”, which tracks vessels in areas where they are known to be at high risk.
NYA says that maritime piracy and criminal acts against commercial vessels is on the rise globally, leaving ship-owners, operators and the insurance industry with the increasing challenge of safeguarding their assets, people and reputation. The problem is most acute in the high risk area (HRA) of the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, as Somali pirates continue to expand their area of influence and develop their tactics. The company points out that monitoring the global maritime security situation, assessing the threat and tracking exposed assets is a 24/7 task which requires a specialist team and ‘real-time’ analysis.
MarTrack is intended to supports assets and personnel operating in the maritime domain, as well as those insurers covering these exposures. This service has already helped clients avoid and evade piracy attacks. MarTrack provides advance assessment of individual vessels and voyages, then tracks these assets on a per voyage or period basis, providing piracy alerts and warnings. The service is managed by NYA’s 24/7 Maritime Operations Centre.
Vessels are tracked using the AIS and/or an independent GPS tracking device. Positions and threat information are displayed on an electronic chart and alerts are sent directly to vessels warning of known or predicted criminal or pirate activity. Information can also be viewed via a secure online client portal.
Alex Kemp, managing director of NYA International, commented: “Piracy is a global problem, but is most prevalent around the Horn of Africa, where Somali pirates operate. Of the estimated 60,000+ voyages that pass through the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean each year, it is assessed that only 10-12% of vessels will employ the services of an onboard security team. MarTrack constantly tracks individual vessels, providing Masters and crew with as near to real-time threat information as possible helping with routing decisions and course planning during the transit and thereby mitigating the risk.”
Source: The Motorship