BIMCO Outlines LIS Week Schedule

BIMCO’s breakfast brief, titled “The Future Of Maritime Security” is aimed at CEOs and Directors who will have an opportunity to hear more on the latest threats facing merchant vessels operating in risk prone areas, how this threat is calculated by the military, and what the industry should be doing to ensure their fleets are best equipped to face any future threats.
 
Giles Noakes, Head of Security at BIMCO said; “With the probability of a reduced military force in the High Risk Area beyond 2016, now is the ideal time to look at all security options to ensure piracy does not return to the levels experienced between 2010 and 2012.
 
“We will run two sessions in the morning – CEOs and Directors will be given insight into the complexities of the current ongoing negotiations to ensure recent lessons identified are being fully utilised to inform on future strategies. 
 
“For example, will the latest Best Management Practice (BMP4) continue to be the source document? Will the boundaries of the High Risk Area be maintained? This question and answer session will be an opportunity to tackle high level issues which CEOs and Directors are required to address.”
 
During the first session, attendees will hear from:

• Major General Martin Smith, MBE – who is Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR and will give insight from the military perspective
  
• Giles Noakes, Head of Security at BIMCO – who will talk about future security strategies for the maritime industry
  
• Mark Sutcliffe – Director of CSO Alliance – who will offer his perspective on security tools and training.

 
The second session is a Crisis Management Exercise, which is primarily aimed at Company Security Officers (CSOs). This will be an interactive session moderated by BIMCO, Port2Port and the CSO Alliance.
 
Dave Buston of Trident Operations, who will coordinate the exercise on behalf of Port2Port, said:
 
“The aim of the exercise is to raise the awareness of the benefits of proactive contingency planning.
 
“It will provide a platform for delegates to actively participate in discussions around the potential for attacks in the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on merchant shipping and the measures needed to mitigate such events.”
 
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) will be represented during the exercise and will offer first hand experiences and suggestions to all involved.  This is an opportunity to actively consider current ship and/or company security plans and enhance awareness of their importance.
 
The first event begins at 0730 on Tuesday 9 September at the Cavalry and Guards Club, 127 Piccadilly, London W1J 7PX. Entry is free and people can register online for either event.