Private Maritime Security: SAMI Secretariat Update
"Initially the doors within the shipping industry had been closed to private maritime security companies, and there was a definite “them and us” divide. This has begun to break down, and we now see that PMSCs are very much a part of the logistics facilitation toolbox which ship owners have come to depend on," says the latest issue of The Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) newsletter, excerpted as follows:
SAMI has joined the United Nations Contact Group on piracy, and this has allowed the maritime security industry a voice at the highest levels, and a conduit for information to be channelled. For a long time there was antipathy towards PMSCs – but now, it is able to communicate as respected, integrated and involved parts of the wider shipping community.
Maritime security has come a long way in a short time, and it is a testament to the quality providers who have worked hard to provide excellence to their clients, and those companies who have continued to support SAMI as we have worked to counter not just piracy, but industry myths, rumours and negativity too.
SAMI adds that it has revamped its membership database to allow members’ details, licenses and certifications to be searchable by clients, and so both sides of the equation can be brought together to best effect.
The new directory is currently in beta testing phase and SAMI members are busily updating their records, and this major new initiative will be launched soon – see www.seasecurity.org for full details.
Source: theBRIDGE newsletter – The Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI)