High Risk

USCG – Guidelines for Vessels Operating in High Risk Waters

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the availability of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104-06 providing guidelines for U.S. vessels operating in high risk waters. Because the Directive is designated Sensitive Security Information (SSI), it is not subject to general release. Rather, copies may be obtained from a USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) office by covered persons with a need to know. Owners and operators of vessels that may operate in areas where acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships are prevalent must include the performance standards listed in the MARSEC Directive in their vessel security plans. 71 Fed. Reg. 7054 source: HK Law

CRI, Veritas - Maritime Security Program

Corporate Risk International (CRI), a business intelligence and risk management firm, and Veritas International Consultants (VIC), a provider of maritime security services, have combined offerings to develop a security solution to current commercial maritime risks. "Tens of thousands of commercial and private vessels travel annually across hundreds of thousands of miles of open seas," said Richard Hildreth, Senior Vice President of Crisis Management at CRI.

Y2K Worries Prompt Cargill To Avoid S. Africa

Cargill U.S.-based commodities giant Cargill Inc. has told South Africa it plans to avoid trading there from mid-December to mid-January because of worries over the country's preparations for the millennium bug, according to press reports. The group's South African subsidiary reportedly sent a letter to the Department of Agriculture in Pretoria, pointing to a "worst-case" assessment by a U.S. computer consultancy analyzing the risks of the bug.

China Joins CSI

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced that the People's Republic of China formally joined the Container Security Initiative (CSI). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Mu Xinsheng, Commissioner of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, today signed a declaration of principles in Beijing, formally initiating joint efforts to target and pre-screen cargo containers shipped from the ports of Shanghai and

U.S. Customs Inspectors Deployed to Rotterdam

U.S. Customs Commissioner Robert C. Bonner announced the deployment of the first team of U.S. Customs officers reporting for duty at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, as part of the Container Security Initiative (CSI). This is the first time in the 213-year history of the U.S. Customs Service that inspectors will be assigned outside of North America to target and screen cargo before being shipped to the United States. The Netherlands was first in Europe to sign an agreement with U.S

VessEx Expands Anti-Piracy Service

Vessel Extractions, LLC, a worldwide ship recovery specialist, launched its Shiprotek service to protect ships from pirate attacks. VessEx protection teams, composed of former Special Forces personnel, ride with ships in high-risk waters to prevent pirates from boarding their clients' vessels and harming the crews. A VessEx Shiprotek team will board a client's vessel anywhere in the world, escort it through troubled areas, and disembark in its next safe port

Commission Urged to Mandate Marine

AMRIE (The Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe) will today present a series of recommendations aimed at improving levels of oil tanker safety in response to recent Commission proposals on the safety of the seaborne oil trade. The AMRIE Paper calls on the Commission to lead the way in introducing requirements for Black Boxes to be fitted in ALL existing cargo ships, going beyond the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) suggestion of new cargo ships only

President Bush Signs Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

President Bush signed into law the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2555). The Department of Homeland Security released a fact sheet providing a breakdown of how the total $37.6 billion appropriation is to be allocated. The President ensured that “We're better securing our borders and transportation systems while facilitating the flow of legitimate commerce. Our Container Security Initiative will allow for the screening of high-risk cargo at the world's largest ports and

Oxberry Risk Maritime Continues to Expand Services

Oxberry Risk Maritime continues to expand its maritime security and anti-piracy services. Oxberry Risk Maritime believes that identification and management of risk is a vital aspect of modern maritime business. Dynamic growth in an ever expanding market requires dynamic solutions to meet and exceed expectations. Oxberry Risk Maritime is responding to the demands of maritime and shipping sector organisations through the delivery of comprehensive maritime security and anti-piracy services

Dying a Slow Death

The concept of 100% Scanning of Shipping Containers is Fading to Black The United States Congress cannot legislate technology ... but it keeps trying. A case in point is the requirement for scanning in a foreign port of all containerized cargo bound for the United States (the so-called 100% scanning requirement).  It was supposed to come into effect on 1 July 2012.  That date has been pushed back to at least 1 July 2014, if ever