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Security Organization News

18 Nov 2022

Britain Says Drone Circles Vessel in Gulf of Oman

Š Val Traveller / Adobe Stock

Britain's maritime agency said a drone circled a ship in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, three days after an Iranian-made drone attacked a tanker in the region.The Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which is part of the Royal Navy, said the incident took place about 50 miles southwest of Muscat. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe. It did not specify what kind of vessel was involved.The U.S.

27 Nov 2017

Panama Maritime Authority Authorizes Dromon Bureau of Shipping

Panama Maritime Authority has authorized Dromon Bureau of Shipping (DBS) as a Classification Society, Recognized Organization (RO) and Recognized Security Organization (RSO) to perform class and statutory certification services on behalf of the Flag Administration. The agreement was signed by Fernando Solorzano, General Director of Merchant Marine of the Republic of Panama and Andreas Nicolaou, Managing Director of DBS. The signing ceremony took place on 24th of November 2017 at the presence of Honourable Jorge Barakat Pitty, Minister of Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Panama, Ms Yaritza Romero, Chief of Staff of Panama Maritime Authority and the top Management of DBS.

07 Sep 2017

Haycock to Lead Business Development at BMT

Paul Haycock (Photo: BMT)

BMT Group subsidiary BMT Asset Performance has appointed Paul Haycock as Business Development Lead for Surface Systems. Haycock joins BMT after 35 years in the Royal Navy, serving on a variety of ships and in a diverse range of environments. A Warfare Officer and Lynx Helicopter Observer, Haycock’s sea time has ranged from Minesweepers on Fishery Protection duties to Frigates and Destroyers as a Bridge Watch Keeper, Ships Communications Officer, Flight Commander and Second in Command.

13 Mar 2015

Malaysian Flag Approves IRClass as RSO

The Maritime Administration of Malaysia has authorised IRClass to act as a‘Recognised Security Organisation’ (RSO) towards verification and approval of ship security plans and issuance/ endorsement of International Ship Security Certificates (ISPS) for ships operating under Malaysian Flag Administration. The latest recognition will now allow IRClass to provide complete statutory certification to Malaysian registered ships, thus improving our services to the Malaysian ship-owners. Malaysia is one of the key flag administrations in the South East Asian region. Besides Malaysia, IRClass is a recognized Security Organization for 25 other Flag Administrations across the world, which together account for approximately 50% of total international tonnage.

13 Jan 2015

Bahamas Approves Indian Register of Shipping

Indian Register of Shipping Approved as Recognized Organization by Flag State Bahamas. Indian Register of Shipping is pleased to announce that it has obtained authorization to act as ‘Recognized Organization’ & ‘Recognized Security Organization’ to carry out statutory survey, audit and certification of Bahamian ships and audit and certification of Companies operating Bahamian ships. This recognition reflects the increasing acceptance of IRClass by all major Maritime Administrations all over the world and is indicative of the progress made by IRClass in its efforts to internationalize and embrace new markets. With this development, IRClass is now approved as a ‘Recognized Organization’ by 25 countries apart from India.

06 Dec 2012

MAST Partners with Beazley Group

MAST (‘Maritime Asset Security and Training’), a leading security organization that provides specialist global security services for the maritime community, has partnered with Beazley Group to offer a tailored piracy insurance policy designed specifically for shipowners with vessels operating in the Gulf of Guinea. The specialist policy has been developed in response to an increase in attacks, kidnaps and ransom demands against commercial ship owners operating in the Gulf of Guinea. This is in marked contrast to the Gulf of Aden, where latest figures from the International Maritime Bureau show a 54 per-cent drop in the number of piracy attacks in the region…

28 Mar 2012

ETC Expands Its Training Network Again

ETC, the MSG MarineServe GmbH-operated ECDIS Training Consortium, announced a further expansion of its ECDIS training network through an agreement with STET Maritime in Singapore to act as its local partner. MSG will provide its well-established ECDIS training courseware, ECDIS training systems and approved Train-the-Trainer courses. In addition, MSG will provide 24/7 certificate authentication and trainee database services for reference by its Partners, Customers, Port State Control and other concerned authorities. STET Maritime will deliver the training, which is configured on a single, comprehensive, training structure and methodology in order to guarantee the quality and consistency of the training. STET Maritime Pte Ltd.

14 Aug 2003

Panama Selects Recognized Security Organization

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has selected Phoenix Management Services Group Inc, represented in Panama by Phoenix Vessels services Inc, to assess on the evaluation of ship security plans. The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, approved in December 2002 by the International Maritime Organization, is an amendment to the SOLAS/74 convention and will enter force on July 1st, 2004. The AMP recently created the new Department of Maritime Security in charge of implementing the new IMO’s requirements and proper execution of the ISPS Code, to comply with Panama’s obligations as the world’s largest merchant fleet.

20 Aug 2003

Panama Approves Charge for ISSC Certificate

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) board of directors approved recently a $ 250 charge for issuing the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC). All Panama-flagged vessels have to file a ship security plan, which is to be assessed by the Recognized Security Organization Phoenix Vessels Services Inc, selected as sole RSO by the AMP on August 12th for this purpose. An in-situ inspection of vessels, made by other Recognized Security Organizations accredited by the AMP, will follow the ships plans’ approval. The RSO recognized for verification purposes will issue the interim ISSC. Finally, the AMP will issue the five-year ISSC at a cost of US$250.

06 Oct 2003

ABS Certifies Container Giant Evergreen To ISPS Code With Issuance of ISSC

ABS has certified the first Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. containership to the IMO’s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) The International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) is the first of what is expected to be a fleet-wide conformance to the Code’s provision well in advance of the July 2004 implementation date. The ISSC was issued by ABS to Evergreen’s 1,164 teu, Hong Kong flag container ship the MV Uni Accord. According to Capt. Hemant Juneja, Division Head for Safety, Environment & Security Certification for ABS Pacific, the MV Uni Accord is not only the first container ship in the Evergreen fleet to achieve certification to the new security standards…

07 Oct 2003

ABS To Provide Security Certification For Dockendale Shipping

ABS has secured a contract with Bahamas-based Dockendale Shipping Company Limited to certify 33 of its vessels to the requirements of the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS). Dockendale has also requested that it be audited to the additional ABS security criteria for the award of the relevant class notation (SEC). The class notation is particularly advantageous for those vessels trading regularly to the US and for owners wanting to demonstrate the highest levels of security compliance. ABS Manager of Safety, Environment & Security Certification Capt. Patrick Falwell, praised Dockendale’s proactive approach towards meeting the new international security standard. “The deadline is 1 July of next year,” Fallwell pointed out.

15 Oct 2003

ABS Completes Review of Seagull CBT

offered by distance learning and computer-based training. receiving Recognized Security Organization (RSO) status. scenario for computer-based training (CBT). workbook of practical exercises. training requirements. Guard and ISPS Security Code regulations taking effect in 2004. the Seagull Training Administrator. Workbook; Automatic Identification System (CBT #109). information.

27 Jan 2004

Cosco Bulk Carrier Meets Security Code

in North or South America to the IMO’s International Ship and Port Security (ISPS)Code. COSCO (H.K.) Shipping Company’s 17,066 dwt bulk carrier “You Ya” was successfully audited at the Port of Houston with ABS approving its ship security plans and the necessary security audits for issuance of the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC). COSCO (H.K.) operates about one hundred vessels, aggregating to approximately 4 million dwt and consisting of Handysize, Panamax and Capesize types. It is the largest dry bulk shipping company in Hong Kong and ranks as the third largest dry bulk shipping company in the world. According to ABS Manager of Safety…

10 Feb 2004

Feature: The ISPS Code

John Riding, director of Marico Marine, speaking at Ship Repair & Conversion in London, presents a rosy picture for the future of ship repair by pointing out that freight rates have not been so high for years and some owners, such as bulk carrier operators are enjoying a rare opportunity to seriously invest in maintenance. The busy state of building yards means that "keeping an older vessel in service longer has great commercial attraction," said Riding. He believes that some repair yards have the potential to make a return for the first time in a long time. However, there is a fly in the ointment in the form of the ISPS Code. The code as has implementation date of July 2004 and applies to all passenger ships…

10 Feb 2004

Government Update: Continuous Synopsis Record

One of the numerous provisions in the December 2002 amendments to the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention) requires ships subject to the Convention to maintain a continuous synopsis record as of July 1, 2004. All is not going smoothly though. Owners and operators should prepare to take individual action prior to the deadline. The continuous synopsis record is intended to provide an on-board record of the history of the ship. m. The date on which the ship ceased to be registered with that nation. Any changes relating to entries in the continuous synopsis record are to be made by the flag administration within three months and provided to the ship so that the information remains current.

08 Mar 2004

Security: Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS)

The new Ship Security and Alert Systems (SSAS) regulations were adopted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime security in response to the increasing threat from terrorism and piracy. After July 1, 2004, most deep-sea passenger and cargo ships must be fitted with a device that can send an alert message containing the ship's ID and position whenever the ship is under threat or has been compromised. The distress message must be activated covertly from a switch on the navigation bridge or other shipboard location, and transmitted only to the designated authority without being received on other ships or raising an alarm on the ship under attack.

18 Mar 2004

IMO: Master May be SSO

The master of a ship can be designated as the Ship Security Officer (SSO) in implementing the provisions of the mandatory International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, IMO's Flag State Implementation (FSI) Sub-Committee has unanimously decided to recommend to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). The FSI Sub-Committee, which meets this week at IMO's London Headquarters, considered the issue following concerns raised by Contracting Governments to the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and by the shipping industry as to whether the ISPS Code, as drafted, would prevent the master of the ship being designated as the SSO. The ISPS Code will become mandatory in July of this year under amendments to SOLAS adopted in December 2002.

29 Mar 2004

GL Gets Greek Authority

Germanischer Lloyd has been granted full authorization by the Greek maritime administration with immediate effect. The authorization enables the classification society to perform, on behalf of the administration, all survey and certification duties related to the assessment of the safety and the condition of ships sailing under the Greek flag. These statutory duties encompass attending to all types of ships, including passenger ships greater than 1,500 gt and high speed craft; the execution of International Safety Management (ISM) Code renewal audits, with the issuance of certificates; and surveying and issuance of certificates according to the requirements of IMO’s recently agreed Anti-Fouling Convention.

18 Jun 2004

Facsimile copies of ISSCs

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters advises that while it expects all arriving SOLAS ships to have original International Ship Security Certificates (ISSCs), it recognizes that in some cases the document may have been issued but has not yet arrived on board. Therefore, its Port State Control (PSC) officers will accept a facsimile copy of an ISSC in lieu of an original ISSC for a short period until the original arrives on board the ship so long as the document appears regular on its face and there is evidence that it was received from the appropriate flag administration or an authorized recognized security organization (RSO). In some instances, where the facsimile copy does not bear all the indicia of authenticity, the PSC officer may issue an administrative deficiency.

05 Aug 2004

Legal: Declaration of Security

Like most other tasks involving two or more parties, maritime security becomes less difficult if each party understands what the others are going to be doing. The method for achieving this understanding in the marine sector, under both the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), is by means of the Declaration of Security. Declaration of Security (DoS) is defined by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention as "an agreement reached between a ship and either a port facility or another ship with which it interfaces, specifying the security measures each will implement". Maritime security regulations promulgated by the U.S.

09 Mar 2006

Vice Adm. Allen Addresses Senate

The following is a statement, in its entirety, from Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen regarding his nomination to be commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, given before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Washington - Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Committee. I am honored to be before you today and look forward to listening to your views and answering your questions. I am grateful for the confidence of President Bush in nominating me to be the 23rd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. I can think of no greater honor and no better way to continue serving our Nation than through our Coast Guard, a Service whose embedded responsibilities impact every American.

20 Dec 2002

ABS Issues Guide For Ship Security

ABS will issue a new, comprehensive "Guide For Ship Security" in early January to assist shipowners in meeting the new IMO security standards. These standards are incorporated in the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), adopted by the Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 at the just completed IMO Diplomatic Conference. ABS President and COO Robert D. Somerville. clarifying changes from the previously circulated drafts. he said. address them. consequences. international requirements. conformance with the highest recognized international standards. specific security responsibilities of companies and individuals. company and ship security officers; and audit and review. E. Kramek.

30 Jan 2003

Lloyd’s Register to Collaborate with IDS International

Lloyd’s Register is pleased to announce its collaboration with Initiative Development Services International Ltd (IDS International), a maritime and corporate security specialist based in the UK. The alliance with IDS International will play a key role in Lloyd’s Register’s preparations for attaining recognized security organization (RSO) status under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code included in the recently adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). IDS International will help Lloyd’s Register meet the RSO criteria, boosting the organization’s maritime security service capability.