(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Maritime Cyprus welcomes the announcement of the publication of Best Management Practices Maritime Security. This document have and will continue to contribute to the security and safety of merchant shipping transiting the High Risk Areas around the world.
Best Management Practices (BMP) Maritime Security (MS) consolidates previously published
regional BMP documents into a single, comprehensive publication. It focuses on a threat
and risk management process addressing globally applicable threats and mitigations, as well as providing references to external sources for up to date regional information.
Seafarers operating ships around the world encounter various maritime security threats, state and non-state. These threats often involve aggressive attackers who subject persons to violence and ill-treatment, hijack ships for ransom or cargo theft, and, in some cases, hold seafarers as hostages for extended periods. Attackers’ motivations may be criminal, ideological or political, and attacks may be targeted or opportunistic. Maritime security threats vary across regions and within them both in terms of the threats themselves and their severity.
The purpose of this publication is to help all ships plan their voyage and to detect, avoid, deter, delay and report attacks and incidents wherever they may occur. Experience has shown that following the recommendations BMP offers makes a significant difference to the safety of seafarers.
Benefits of implementing BMP Applying these recommendations will:
- Assist in planning voyages and offshore activities.
- Improve understanding of maritime threats and their impacts.
- Reduce the likelihood of being involved in a maritime security incident.
- Help in determining mitigations to keep the crew and ship safe.
- Provide reference information sources.
- Specify contacts and reporting procedures for emergencies and welfare assistance.
Applicability and guidance:
- BMP measures: not all mitigation measures are applicable to every threat, ship type or region.
- Usage: companies, Company Security Officers (CSOs), Ship Security Officers (SSOs), and Masters should use this guidance to conduct ship-specific threat and risk-assessments aimed at protecting seafarers, ships, and cargo. BMP is also a useful reference for charterers and other maritime stakeholders.
- Complementary guidance: this guidance complements other industry guidelines and
international recommendations, including IMO, Flag State and P&I Circulars. - BMP complements but does not override International Ship and Port Facility Security
(ISPS) Code requirements.
For more details, you can download the Best Management Practices (BMP) for Maritime Security, below:
Source: BIMCO, ICS, CLIA, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and OCIMF.
