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Security Protocols News

08 Nov 2023

Manson Construction Launches Online Vendor Portal

(File photo: Rachel Napolitan / U.S. Army)

Seattle-based marine construction and dredging company Manson Construction Co. announced the launch of its new Manson Vendor Portal (MVP), a secure web portal where current vendors and businesses interested in working with Manson as subcontractors and suppliers provide information about their businesses.The MVP is designed to serve as a convenient and efficient way for vendors to share information to support Manson’s procurement efforts, Federal Contract compliance, and Small Business Program…

16 Oct 2023

Securing Federal Grant Resources for US Ports

(Photo: HDR)

Like many ports, the Alaskan Port of Homer faces aging infrastructure and capital needs well beyond the local funding capacity. The port is a key link in the supply chain for 47 remote, rural, disadvantaged or Alaska Native communities served by Homer, making proposed port infrastructure upgrades critical for shipping statewide as well as for the local community.Enter the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This unprecedented…

04 Nov 2021

Maritime Cybersecurity: Prepare, Detect and Respond

© pinkeyes / Adobe Stock

At a time when the world has become more aware than ever before about the vital importance of the world’s ocean shipping fleet, which carried supplies, merchandise and much needed personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased risk from a different threat, cyberattacks, presents a set of new challenges. According to Israeli cybersecurity specialist Naval Dome, since February 2020, there has been a 400% increase in attempted hacks on the maritime realm…

07 Dec 2020

Port of Los Angeles Inks $6.8 Mln Cybersecurity Deal with IBM

© trekandphoto / Adobe Stock

The Port of Los Angeles is working with IBM to design and operate a Port Cyber Resilience Center (CRC) at the U.S.' busiest container port.A $6.8 million, three-year agreement between the seaport and tech giant includes hardware, software and services to design, install, operate and maintain the first-of-its-kind system aimed at detecting and protecting against malicious cyber incidents potentially impacting cargo flow as well as improving the quality, quantity and speed of cyber…

23 Aug 2020

Tanker Boarded by Somali Police is Safe and Underway

(Photo: EU NAVFOR)

A Panama-flagged ship boarded by Somali police is safe and underway, the EU Naval Force said on Saturday, after conflicting reports two days earlier about whether it had been hijacked by Somali pirates.The Aegean II had originally altered its course due to a damaged hull and after local police had boarded it, "there had been certain incidents on board the vessel", the EU force said in a statement."At this point, it cannot be classified as a maritime security incident, but a more detailed investigation is in progress…

21 Aug 2020

Somali Pirates Release Last of Hostages Captured in 2015

© Vitaliy / Adobe Stock

Somali pirates have released three Iranian hostages held for five years, a maritime security official said on Thursday, as conflicting reports emerged whether another ship had been seized after a three-year hiatus in hijackings.The three Iranians are the last of the crew of the Iranian fishing vessel FV Siraj, which was captured by pirates on March 22, 2015.“This marks the end of an era of Somali piracy and the pain and suffering of Somalia’s forgotten hostages,” said John Steed…

20 Aug 2020

Somali Pirates Hijack Panama-flagged Tanker

A merchant ship has reportedly been hijacked off the northeast coast of Somalia, marking the first successful hijacking by Somali pirates since 2017.The Panama-flagged ship was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Mogadishu port when it appeared to develop mechanical problems, Reuters reports.The 112-meter chemical tanker Aegean II was said to be attacked by six armed pirates on Wednesday night, according to maritime security intelligence group Dryad Global, who described the incident as an "isolated and opportunistic piratical activity which seized on a vessel in a vulnerable situation".According to Dryad Global, the Aegean II slowed from its 6-knot cruising speed to 1 knot, giving pirates a "window of opportunity" to attack.

15 Jun 2020

Surge in Maritime Cyber Attacks Reported

© Denys / Adobe Stock

Maritime and offshore energy companies are facing a number of new challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. One of these is an increase in cyber security threats, reports Naval Dome, who says there's been a 400% increase in attempted cyber attacks in these sectors since February 2020.While an increase in malware, ransomware and phishing emails exploiting the COVID-19 crisis is the primary reason behind the spike, cyber security specialist Naval Dome says travel restrictions…

17 Apr 2020

Singapore Mulls Placing Workers who Recover from COVID-19 on Cruise Ships

© saiko3p / Adobe Stock

Singapore is assessing whether migrant workers who have recovered from coronavirus might be safer on cruise ships than back in dormitories that have become infection hotbeds, despite problems controlling onboard outbreaks encountered elsewhere.The city-state has seen virus cases surge in sprawling housing complexes for foreign laborers, recording its biggest ever jump in cases on Thursday, and is looking for new accommodation solutions for hundreds of workers.Around 60% of the 4…

13 Dec 2019

Digital Developments Continue Apace in the Workboat Space

Image Credit: Kongsberg

Sustainable, energy-efficient working practices and environmental regulatory compliance are among the hot-button topics driving the spread of maritime digitalization.The benefits of a digital strategy for companies working within the maritime industry soon stack up. In addition to providing operational/logistical streamlining, data-based insights, a competitive edge and a reputational leg-up, connecting operational systems and consolidating interfaces also drives the levels of…

07 Apr 2019

Global LNG Bunker Fuel Market to Reach $1.3bln by 2026

The global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a bunker fuel market was valued around US$ 550 million in 2017, and is expected to register a CAGR of over 8.5%. The bunker fuel market revenue value is exprected to reach US$ 1,263.2 million in 2026.According to a market research report, based on the region the market is segmented into US, Europe, China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Europe market is expected to dominate the global LNG as a bunker fuel market, and it accounts for largest market revenue over US$ 260 mn in 2017 as compared to that of markets in other regions.Dominance by Europe market is expected to continue over the forecast period with comparatively higher CAGR than that of other regions…

19 Jan 2018

Panama Says Sunken Iranian Tanker had Papers in Order

(Photo: China's Ministry of Transport)

The Iranian tanker that sank after a collision in the East China Sea, causing the worst oil ship disaster in years, had its paperwork in order, according an initial review by maritime authorities in Panama, whose flag it was sailing under. The large tanker Sanchi (IMO:9356608) sank on Sunday after crashing into the freighter CF Crystal (IMO:9497050) and drifting ablaze for days. The ship's crew of 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis are believed to have been killed. Fernando Solorzano…

06 Oct 2016

Port Everglades Closed for Hurricane Matthew

Broward County’s Port Everglades is closed to all ship and truck traffic as the potential category 4 or 5 Hurricane Matthew approaches the U.S. East Coast.   The port will reopen after the storm once all safety and security protocols are in place and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, in conjunction with the Strategic Weather Advisory Team.

23 Aug 2016

TSA Boosts Maritime Security in a Big Way

File photo: Chris Casey

Though most visible to the general public for its work at America’s airports, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also helps to secure the country’s transportation network in a number of other ways, including assisting the U.S. Coast Guard in securing the nation’s critical maritime facilities, structures, systems, assets and services. America’s vast marine transportation system encompasses some 25,000 miles of navigable waterways, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway…

06 Jul 2016

$307,500 PSGP Funding for Hueneme Port

The Port of Hueneme announced that it will receive more than $307,500 in funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Fiscal Year 2016 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The funds will provide multi-functional applications protecting critical port and regional infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management, and maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency as well as enhance the response capabilities of our regional law enforcement partners. Said President of the Board Dr. Manuel Lopez…

26 Aug 2015

Cyber Security & the Challenge to Maritime Networks

Adrian Hartman

In the film “Captain Phillips,” a boarding Somali pirate’s statement represents a maritime operator’s worst fear: losing control of his vessel, cargo and crew. This same loss of control can result from cyber criminals and hackers. In the last year, there have been multiple prominent cyber attacks causing serious economic harm to companies and their partners with Sony Pictures being just the latest high profile victim. The maritime industry is particularly susceptible to cyber attack. Ships transfer millions of dollars of cargo and often utilize antiquated communications and network hardware.

21 Aug 2014

DNO Eyes First Kurdistan Crude Shipment

Norwegian firm DNO expects its first shipment of oil from Kurdistan to be sold on the international market by the end of the year and said it was committed to its operations in the region despite the recent flare-up in violence. The firm could until recently only sell oil on the local Iraqi market, at lower prices than it would have got on the international oil market, due to a long constitutional fight between the region and Baghdad over independent oil sales. That changed earlier this month when the Kurdish Regional Government allowed oil firms to seek out international buyers. Oil revenue is a lifeline for the KRG, whose peshmerga fighters are fighting Islamic State militants.

29 Jan 2003

MARINE SECURITY:The New Faces of Security

The U.S. maritime world is rapidly changing direction as security becomes an ever larger and more important issue to the federal government. We have seen the Department of Homeland Security created, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 become law, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) establish new standards. The new international requirements will go into effect in July 2004, and will apply to US vessels in international trade, foreign vessels that call on US ports and US facilities that engage in international trade. In many respects they mirror MSTA '02. The USCG has made it very clear that these international…

15 Dec 2011

Secure Waters Offers Trip Threat Reports

The Maritime Security Council has accredited the on-demand trip threat reports. Piracy continues to be a major problem affecting large yachts and worldwide shipping concerns. Pirate attacks are spreading from the Gulf of Aden/Indian Ocean east to Asia and to the west coast of Africa. There have been reports of hijackings in South and Central America, Hispaniola, and the Caribbean as well. Shipping companies and large yacht owners are searching for solutions to help them better understand the location and type of threats they face along their routes. Secure Waters Security Group, Inc. now provides on-demand trip threat reports to help large yacht, cargo vessels, and shipping companies better understand the potential threats they may face worldwide.

08 Mar 2006

Australian Maritime Security Deal Signed

Reports indicate that Australian Attorney General, Philip Ruddock, today signed agreements to enhance maritime security and counter-terrorism. Ruddock, in London as part of a week-long visit to Europe to discuss security issues, signed the security protocols at a meeting with the secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Efthimios Mitropoulos. He said they would significantly strengthen international efforts to counter terrorist threats to maritime security and offshore oil and gas facilities. The protocols were adopted at a Diplomatic Conference of the IMO in in October 2005 after three years of intensive negotiations. They will amend the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation.

23 Mar 2009

Albacora Deploys Stratos FleetBroadband

Stratos Global Corporation, global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, has successfully completed an Inmarsat FleetBroadband field trial with Spain’s Albacora Group. The three-month field trial was conducted onboard the Albacora tuna fishing vessel Albatun Dos in the Indian Ocean. Stratos channel partner Satlink managed the installation of a FleetBroadband 250 terminal manufactured by JRC, which was integrated with the vessel’s local-area network. The successful trial led to Albacora Group retaining the FleetBroadband from Stratos system, which it will use to manage the Albatun Dos’ daily operations at sea.

13 May 2009

CG Issues Maritime Security Directive 104-6

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a maritime security directive May 11 in response to the rise in piracy in the waters of the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa and in light of recent pirate attacks on U.S. flagged vessels. Maritime Security Directive 104-6 (rev. 2) issued by the Coast Guard under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2004 provides the maritime industry with specific, risk-based measures to take to deter, detect or disrupt piracy. Prior to entering high risk waters, U.S. flagged vessels should establish an anti-piracy plan that includes the hardening of rigging and operating vessels in a manner to prevent attacks and subsequent boarding.

24 Oct 2012

BCF & WSF Security and Operations Control

Across the globe, populated islands and the desire of their inhabitants to travel elsewhere has led to a need for reliable waterborne transportation. Nowhere is an organized water transportation system more highly utilized than in the shared waters of Washington State and British Columbia. The international border zigzags around the Gulf Islands of Canada and the San Juan Islands of the US. Ferry traffic from the US and Canada traveling to these islands cross each other’s watery borders daily.