Maritime Security Issues
IMO Raises Seafarer Issues with US
IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos and US Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge met at IMO Headquarters on Friday, 14 January 2005 to discuss maritime security issues of mutual concern. During the meeting, Mr. Ridge expressed appreciation to IMO and its Member States for the rapid and comprehensive international response to maritime security issues following the September 2001 attacks in the United States, including the adoption of the special measures to enhance maritime security which entered into force on 1 July 2004 as part of the SOLAS Convention. Mr. Mitropoulos referred to work carried out by IMO in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) on seafarer identification. He stressed the importance of treating seafarers as partners in the maritime security chain and highlighted the need for them to be able to take shore leave after working on board ships for long periods. Mr. Ridge drew attention to the need for authentification and verification of documents relating to individual seafarers and his concerns about fraudulent documentation. He stressed that the United States is looking for ways to move the process forward and said that he would share the Secretary-General's concerns with Washington agencies. The IMO Secretary-General welcomed the input of the United States and, in particular
As Concerns About Seaport Security Mount, the U.S. Government Reacts
"Maritime Domain Awareness" is the new watchword for the maritime community. The discovery of a well equipped, suspected Al-Qa'eda member in a cargo container in Italy was one of the recent stark lessons in the vulnerability of maritime transportation security. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard temporarily denied entry to the liquefied natural gas tanker Matthew to Boson for insufficient security and a crew member on another vessel who jumped ship in New Orleans was later found to have the
IMO To Address Maritime Security Issues
Experts in maritime security from governments and industry will gather in London next week at the Headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for an inter-governmental meeting devoted to maritime security and counter-terrorism issues. A special intersessional working group of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) will convene for a week-long session (February 11th-15th) to begin in earnest the process of reviewing and revising all existing IMO measures and procedures to
Senate Passes CG Authorization Bill
The Senate passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2004. Negotiations can now commence to resolve differences between this bill and the version adopted by the House of Representatives some time ago. The major difference between the two bills regards security plans for foreign vessels subject to the ISPS Code. The House bill would, in accordance with language in the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA)
Security Regs Will Impact the Bottom Line
The North of England P&I club has warned its members this week that the International Maritime Organization's new ship-security rules could have a significant impact on the commercial aspects of their operations when it comes into force on 1 July 2004. In the latest issue of its loss-prevention newsletter 'Signals', the 45 million GT club says all existing and future contracts relating to ships' operations - including charterparties
News: Committee Discusses Marine Safety
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation conducted an oversight hearing regarding transportation security. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Committee Chair, noted that maritime security remains a daunting task. Mr. Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, discussed the role of the Department of Transportation regarding security and its coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S
IMO Urges Implementation of Security Measures
The IMO issued a Circular
USCG Issues Port Security Guidelines
The U.S. Coast Guard issued Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 9-02 entitled Guidelines for Port Security Committees and Port Security Plans Required for U.S. Ports Building on its Maritime Homeland Security Mission, the Coast Guard Headquarters has advised its field units on how to structure the Port Security Committees and how to develop Port Security Plans. By February 28, 2003, each Captain of the Port (COTP) is to conduct a preliminary port level security assessment in
IMO Will Focus on Security Issues at the MSC
IMO Will Focus on Security Issues Security issues to fore at IMO safety meeting Maritime security issues are high on the agenda of IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), which meets for its 75th session from May 15 to 24 , as Member States prepare for a Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security scheduled for December 2002, at which any new or amended legislation could be adopted. Other major issues to be tackled include the adoption of proposed amendments to the International Convention for
July 1, 2004: It's a Brave new World
With the deadline to comply with ISPS/MTSA now passed, focus will start shifting towards the immediate and long-term financial impacts these rules will have on the industry as a whole. Ships trading internationally and port facilities servicing them will be expected henceforth to have their security-related paperwork and procedures in order. As this is a national security issue, one should expect little leeway to be afforded by port state control officials
Rebuilding the Presumption of Preemption
I propose that the Legislative, Executive, Judicial Branches of the federal government should cooperatively work toward the rebuilding of the presumption in favor of federal preemption with respect to all matters related to maritime commerce
Admiral Papp to Explain USCG Arctic Strategy at CSIS Forum
Admiral Robert J. Papp, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, to address the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) forum on May 21, 2013. CSIS Europe Program will host a Military Strategy Forum on the Coast Guard's strategic vision for its future role in the Arctic
Advice on Choosing Private Maritime Security Protection
Nexus Consulting release their updated best practice guidelines for maritime security firm selection by shipowners. “As the number of private maritime firms has grown from a handful just a few years ago to over a hundred today, we felt it was important to help shipping organizations get
AWO Urges Industry Awareness on National Maritime Day
The American Waterways Operators, the national trade association of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, is using National Maritime Day to remind Americans about the many significant contributions of the nation’s domestic mariners. Established in 1933
UKHO Publish World's First Security Paper Charts
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office's (UKHO) security charts are designed to protect against risks, including piracy. The two new Admiralty Maritime Security Charts, cover the waters around India and Southeast Asia, including the Malacca Straits.
Dryad Shortlisted for Safety at Sea Award
Dryad Maritime Intelligence announced that it has been short-listed in the management/operations category for their Fleet Security Management service in this years’ IHS Safety at Sea Awards. The awards recognize innovation and excellence while paying tribute to outstanding contributions made
GoAGT to Provide Armed Guards Aboard Cypriot Vessels
The Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping accredited Gulf of Aden Group Transits Ltd. (GoAGT) to provide armed guards onboard Cyprus flagged vessels. The accreditation was gained in only three months following initial submission, less than half the normal time estimated to achieve this.
AlliedBarton Enters 10-year Partnership with PortStar
PortStar announces a 10-year National Partner License Agreement with AlliedBarton Security Services, the industry’s premier provider of highly trained security personnel, for use of its Seaport Security Training System. This agreement gives AlliedBarton access to the PORTSTAR Seaport
Navigating the Future of Private Maritime Security
Maritime piracy is both ageless as a threat as well as ductile in its dramatically changing nature both in and around the Indian Ocean and, increasingly, in other parts of the world. Somali piracy erupted in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden and commercial vessels transiting the area
GoAGT Training Center Achieves DNV Accreditation
Maritime security company GoAGT Ltd. achieved Det Norske Veritas (DNV) accreditation for its Maritime Training Center located in Galle, Sri-Lanka. The center, one of the first to be accredited globally, can train up to 20 personnel at any one time in a variety of maritime security
Lobbyists Begin Capitol Hill 'Sail-In'
Representatives from U.S.-flag maritime labor and industry work the halls of Capitol Hill together to promote their cause. The delegation came to promote various issues affecting those who work, sail, build and operate American vessels as well as nation’s harbors, ports and waterways.
MARAD Deputy Matsuda Resigns
David Matsuda, the U.S. Maritime Administrator, announced that he is stepping down. In a statement released by Marad spokesperson Kim Strong, Matsuda's career highlights and accomplishments were also listed. The statement reads as follows:
Ambrey Risk Awarded Coast Guard Accreditation
Maritime security specialist, Ambrey Risk, based in Hereford U.K., announced that the company has become Maritime Coastguard Agency Accredited, and can now offer STCW95 courses, which are the basic entry level training courses for working at sea.
AdvanFort President Addresses Ransom and Piracy
"The revelation this week that the owner of an Algerian cargo ship whose crew was held by Somali pirates paid them $2.6 million in ransom is yet another indication that the rewards these denizens reap for their illegal, life-threatening work remain a serious stumbling block to ending maritime
Seattle Propeller Club Honors Veentjer and Dwyer
The Seattle Propeller Club announced the winner of the 2013 Puget Sound Maritime Achievement Award as Captain John Veentjer, Puget Sound Marine Exchange Executive Director, aboard Princess Cruises cruise vessel Sapphire Princess while berthed on Pier 66 at the Port of Seattle’s Bell Street