International maritime safety, security measures to learn from

International maritime safety, security measures to learn from
The Manila Times May 22, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/international-maritime-safety-security-measu...

The Philippines has a lot of things to learn from maritime countries that adopt security measures and plans under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).

These security measures must be aligned with global safety standards such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) imposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Countries and shipping companies invest large amounts to make security plans and strategies to ensure that sea trade is not inordinately disrupted and that ships, people, and ports are adequately protected and secured.

Industry players said the rule of law should be maintained even beyond jurisdictions so that oceans, seas and international waters are kept clean, safe and secure. This way, maritime peace and progress would be achieved for the good of all.
The sinking of the Princess of the Stars. photo by the manila times

Maritime safety and security issues

Global trade largely depends on shipping for the transport of tons of goods and commodities from the country of origin to destination. Economies around the world continuously grow by keeping a robust port to port movement not only of commodities but also of human passengers.

Like other industries, maritime trade is also susceptible to various hazards and risks,including natural and man-made ones, that cannot only create serious trade and economic impact but also threaten the safety and security of maritime stakeholders. With the high stakes involved, steps are taken to increase the ships’ and crews’ protection whether at port or at sea. Industry placers face various safety and security issues that threaten maritime activities, including safety at seas, security in ports, robbery and piracy, counter terrorism, and cyber security.

Safety at sea
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The seas have claimed thousands of lives in tragic accidents that could have been prevented or avoided. Studies show that most of the time, contact accidents and collisions that result in ships sinking to the bottom of the sea were caused by human error. With adequate and clear safety measures and training programs to improve the navigational competence of ship crews, such errors could be minimized or eliminated.

Security in ports

The critical evaluation on perilous situations in ports can be caused by the occurrence of natural disasters, labor issues, and accidents. To mitigate these risks, port authorities, in coordination with other stakeholders, including ship owners and other relevant agencies, should be able to implement appropriate measures to improve and maintain service quality and port security as well as achieve satisfaction for all concerned.

Armed robbery and piracy

Another form of risk that ships, including their crews, are exposed to and that threatens not only the vessels and cargo but also their lives, is the presence of sea pirates. Between the late 1900s and early 2000s, piracy at sea hounded vessels traversing the South China Sea, Singapore and the Straits of Malacca. A few years later, piracy also erupted along the wider Indian Ocean and most notably in the Gulf of Aden, specifically off the coast of Somalia and other hotspots.

IMO stepped in to issue guidelines that cover the affected governments, ship operators and owners, shipmasters, and other ship personnel on how piracy and armed robberies could be properly addressed.

In 2013, 25 West and Central African nations adopted a Code of Conduct to repress these criminal activities. However, it leaves to the governments for whose flag the ships sail the responsibility to determine the propriety and legality of hiring armed security personnel aboard the ships.

Counterterrorism

Relative to policies and guidelines against piracy, IMO adopted the Convention on Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (1986 SUA Treaties) and later revised it in 2005 to become the SUA Protocol. The unlawful acts defined in the treaties include seizure of ships by force, placing devices (like explosives) that can cause destruction and damageon board aship, and other acts of violence committed on persons (whether crew or passenger).

IMO helps governments ensure that appropriate actions are taken against those who commit the acts.

Cybersecurity

The advent of the Internet of Things is a double-edged sword in ship operation. While technology, particularly the internet of things, has made some shipping processes, navigational and communications systems easier and more accessible to modern ships, it has also made them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Whether onshore or offshore, ships’ databases can be hacked and critical information compromised.

More efforts needed

In June 2014, the European Council adopted the European Union Maritime Security Strategy or EUMSS for the global maritime domain. The initiative is a joint EU plan aimed at improving ways to pre-empt and respond to maritime challenges affecting people, infrastructure, and activities in the European Union.

Its major objectives include increased awareness and ensuring higher efficiency in operations, as well as the protection of EU maritime interests worldwide by strengthening links between internal and external security and overall European Security with the Integrated Maritime Policy.

The Philippine situation

In the Philippines, shipping experts cite the need to upgrade awareness and training of Filipino seafarers to handle security issues. According to Captain Joel, a fleet manager in a shipping line, a way to increase the safety and security of ships is to empower officers and crew with the right training on skills and capability enhancement and to develop their positive attitude and disposition.

“In the face of disaster, presence of mind will make a big difference especially on board a ship. Training Filipino seafarers to become extra vigilant, to know their duties by heart and to constantly strive to upgrade their knowledge can help increase their preparedness to handle difficult situations either at dock or in the middle of the sea regardless of what job they handle on board ships,” he said.

A seasoned seafarer who now works as a maritime consultant said he always reminds clients to know their weaknesses. He said that while there are no foolproof plans, the conduct of assessment and proper monitoring and evaluation of what have been done can help detect weaknesses in systems, equipment and crew at an early stage and formulate counteractions.

“Regular drills to familiarize crew on safety and security protocol should also be conducted. Constantly doing something would help you handle actual situations effectively,” he said.