Maritime Security & Piracy
Key Resources
Armed guards
The IMO has now published on its website:
- MSC.1/Circ.1405 Interim Guidance to Shipowners, Ship Operators, and Shipmasters on the use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area This document is largely based on the Guidelines to Shipowners developed by the Industry. Some parts of the Liberian submission and the Norwegian War Risks Insurance Association have also been added to the Interim Guidance.
More information can be found here: http://www.igpandi.org/Piracy/News/2011/3
BMP4
- Best Management Practice 4 (BMP4) has just been published and replaces the previous BMP3.
Contacts
| UKMTO Dubai | MSCHOA |
| Email UKMTO@eim.ae | Via Website for reporting www.mschoa.org |
| Telephone +971 50 552 3215 | Telephone +44 (0) 1923 958545 |
| Fax +971 4 306 5710 | Fax +44 (0) 1923 958520 |
| Telex (51) 210473 | Email postmaster@mschoa.org |
| IMB PRC | MARLO |
| Email piracy@icc-ccs.org | Email Marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil |
| Telephone +60 3 2031 0014 | Telephone + 973 1785 3927 |
| Fax +60 3 2078 5769 | Cell + 973 3944 2117 |
| Telex MA34199 IMBPC1 |
Additional Resources
Confidential guide to recommended anti-piracy communications and co-ordination measures
This guide illustrates the standard regional piracy incident communication lines in diagram form and outlines how MSCHOA & the UK MTO Dubai use the information provided from the voluntary reporting schemes. Whilst this guide needs to be widely communicated to our industry, the procedures that it describes need to remain confidential among our masters, crew and colleagues. Copies of this document are available to Members upon request.
Gulf of Aden Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor & Recommended Transit Corridor & Group Transit Explanation (March 2009)
The attached information is clarifies the purpose & scope of the Transit Corridor and outlines the practical aspects for merchant vessels participating in Group Transits.
Whilst this presentation needs to be widely communicated to our industry, the procedures that it describes need to remain confidential among our masters, crew and colleagues. Copies of this document are available to Members upon request.
Anti-Piracy Chart Q6099
Click here to access the chart referred to in the above “Best management practices” document and published by the UK Hydrographic Office.
Useful Links
Save our seafarers campaign
The threat posed by piracy in the Indian Ocean to our merchant seafarers is increasing on a weekly basis. Currently, almost 800 merchant naval officers and crew are being held hostage on over 30 ships. A number of leading shipping associations have recently launched a campaign, "Save our Seafarers". The campaign aims to get the world government to take action against the pirates through stronger enforcement of international conventions and firmer political resolve . Please visit the SOS website: http://www.saveourseafarers.com .
Useful links
- NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) - the link between NATO naval forces and the merchant shipping community. Permanently manned by NATO, the NSC is the primary point of contact for the exchange of merchant shipping information between NATO's military authorities and the international shipping community.
- Special General Meeting - Proposed Amendment to War Risks Exclusion
- International Maritime Organisation - resource area on piracy and armed robbery against ships
- ICS Piracy Guidance and Reports – link to ICS publications catalogue which includes background information on piracy including guidance on what to do before, during and after piracy attacks
- Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) – MSCHOA referred to in text above.
- IMB Piracy Reporting Centre – International Maritime Bureau specialist centre for piracy
- Maritime Security Council – US association sharing information on maritime security
- Russia Maritime Security – Russian federal agency of sea & river transport security service
- Sea Sentinel – Lloyds Register Fairplay service for ports, security & risk information
- US Office of Naval Intelligence bulletins on piracy activity around the world
- Clyde & Co LLP - Clyde & Co regularly highlight key legal issues arising in cases of piracy. This link refers to the shipping sub-section of their knowledge base.
Industry developments
MLC 2006
The Maritime Labour Convention enters into force in August 2013 - resources, news & advice on implementation can be found in this dedicated section. READ MORE
Piracy
Essential precautions and preparation against piracy, as well as additional information and resources, loss prevention advisories and useful external web links
UPDATED 24 December: New FAQs on spill response contracts. China’s first comprehensive system of marine pollution regulations took effect from 1st March 2010, but many aspects are yet to be developed or advised.
MARPOL Annex VI limits sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts. It prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances and establishes more stringently controlled special SOx Emission Control Areas (SECAS)
Click on a section below to see information collated from across the website on topical issues of interest to our Members