The programme consists of integrated workshops and tailored support aimed at helping IMO Member States to develop National Maritime Security Committees, Risk Registers and Strategies.

Peter Adams, IMO Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on maritime security, explains: “At IMO, we believe that an inclusive approach that draws key stakeholders together is most likely to yield meaningful results. Therefore, the programme aims to create a cross-government committee that can be aided by the Risk Register to objectively identify security gaps and prioritize where to steer future policy development, funding and capacity building efforts. It also leads to the development of a National Maritime Security Strategy that provide the strategic objectives, which explain how the Member State will secure its maritime domain for the foreseeable future. We hope to replicate the IMO Whole of Government Approach to Maritime Security in other regions in the future.”

The programme has been carefully designed based on IMO’s global maritime security experience, including assisting countries to implement IMO’s maritime security measures, such as the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The programme provides a practical framework to underpin effective national maritime security decision making and governance, tailored to the specific needs of the respective Member State. Each element can be delivered either as a stand-alone unit or as an integrated programme. Depending upon the option(s) chosen, the programme timeline can range from three to eighteen months.

Subject to available funding, IMO will work with the member state to provide the framework, expert workshops and consultancy support. IMO will be supporting Nigeria in the development of its National Maritime Security Strategy, with the project due to be launched towards the end of 2021 and completed within an 18month period.

Safer waters in West Africa

During a recent visit (22 October) to IMO Headquarters by representatives from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim was given an update on maritime security in Nigerian waters. Dr. Bashir Jamoh, NIMASA Director General quoted data from the IMB reports, which demonstrate a downward trend, with a 40% reduction of piracy and armed robbery related incidents across the Gulf of Guinea. He stated that there were 28 incidents reported in the first three quarters of this year, compared to 46 in 2020. Nigeria accounted for four of these incidents, a 77% reduction from the 17 incidents in the same period in 2020. Unlike last year, when most incidents took place outside territorial waters, almost all incidents mentioned above occurred in anchorages, ports and harbours.

Dr. Jamoh attributed the significant reduction in maritime security incidents in Nigeria to deterrence, through increased maritime law enforcement presence in the estuary regions, and to enhanced intelligence and engagement with the people of the Niger Delta. He also outlined a plan to enhance security in internal waters, given recent incidents in those areas.

Emphasizing the value of IMO support for regional initiatives, the NIMASA Director General stated that the safety agency will shortly be completing work on its enhanced Regional Maritime Training centre in Lagos, which is expected to serve as a hub for regional Search and Rescue (SAR) and security training. This is expected to build on ongoing regional cooperation with the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and the Joint Industry Group (Nigeria and international maritime industry associations). Dr. Jamoh also highlighted the efforts put in to enhance the region’s legal framework with adoption of legislation providing for enforcement and sanctions for offences against maritime security, including piracy.

NIMASA has been working to address socio-economic factors that contribute to piracy and maritime security issues, such as unemployment, poverty, lack of education opportunities, etc. There has been a positive impact from an ongoing maritime education programme to provide alternate employment opportunities and scholarships for youth in the affected areas. By training these individuals as future seafarers, fishers, maritime personnel and marine litter marshals, the programme creates economic opportunities as well as addresses the maritime skills gap.

Source: channel16.dryadglobal

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has introduced new measures to check security threats in the Nigerian maritime domain and deter persons who may seek illegal means of entry into the country as stowaways.

Under the new procedures, all Ship Captains are to submit the Security-Related Pre-Arrival Information forms to the Agency no later than 48 hours before the ship’s arrival at any Nigerian port.

Ship Captains are also required to exchange the Declaration of Security, with the Port Facility Security Officer of their next port of call not later than 72 hours before the ship’s arrival at that port for conveyance to NIMASA within 48 hours. Additionally, all ships are to maintain 24 hours vigilance and surveillance to detect strange movements, including small boats and skiffs that may not be captured by radar.

Other measures include proper pre-departure search and completion of pre-departure forms before departure from any port; switching on Automatic Identification Systems; close monitoring of communication channels; and response to any VHF call from the Nigerian Navy or the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said that the measures are consistent with the strategy of trying to keep one step ahead of the pirates, armed robbers, and anyone or anything that poses a danger to the country’s maritime domain and Nigeria, in general.

“The procedures are easy to follow and deliberate steps have been taken to make the reporting process seamless, all for the good of the ship operators and the international shipping community.″

Jamoh also appealed for standardization of the legal frameworks of countries in the Gulf of Guinea to aid effective prosecution of maritime crimes. He acknowledged that some efforts are being made to standardize regional maritime law enforcement, with some countries are already enacting their own antipiracy laws.

“We encourage countries within the region, which do not have distinct antipiracy laws, to try to enact such laws. It is in the interest of every country in the Gulf of Guinea to consciously work to remove obstacles to the prosecution of piracy and sea robbery suspects,” Jamoh said. “Shipping is an international business, and crimes associated with it are equally international in nature. Now, how do you try a suspect in a country where our SPOMO [Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offenses] Act cannot be applied?

“No country can fight maritime insecurity alone. It is a collective responsibility. There is hardly any nation that does not have commercial interest in the Gulf of Guinea.So we must work to ensure uniformity of legal frameworks in the region to facilitate effective prosecution of maritime crimes.”

Source: hstoday

French certification company Bureau Veritas has granted approval in principle (AiP) to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier design from South Korea-based shipbuilding company Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).

The design won AiP under Bureau Veritas’ Cyber Managed Prepared Notation, which confirms that the design aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2021 norms for cyber security as well as the industry’s best practices.

SHI secured the AiP for its SVESSEL smart ship solution, making it the first shipbuilder to receive such approval.

The company’s solution supports comprehensive digitalisation of the vessel, along with its applications, to provide secure operations.

SHI vice-president Hyun Joe Kim said: “Strong cyber security is key to enable shipping to move on to the next level of digitalised and connected ships. For years, SHI has been at the forefront of innovative design and equipment, helping our clients address the risk of cyber-attacks while complying with the current rules and regulations.

“All the efforts and good collaboration with Bureau Veritas’ expertise led to the issuance of this AiP.”

Bureau Veritas marine and offshore technical and operations senior vice-president Laurent Leblanc said: “Bureau Veritas is proud to see the successful completion of this AiP with SHI upon the development of this design of an LNG carrier with Bureau Veritas Cyber Managed Prepared Notation. This announcement demonstrates it is a viable solution that will support the journey towards smart and autonomous ship technology and cyber security.”

At present, several SHI-built vessels feature SHI’s Cyber Security technology.

Source: ship-technology

Maersk, MSC, IMO — there is no shortage of maritime security incidents and cyber attacks. As hackers become even more sophisticated in their tactics, it’s inevitable that maritime cyber attacks against OT on ships are becoming the norm rather than the exception. The stats speak for themselves:

Of respondents, 77% view maritime cyber-attacks as a high or medium risk to their organizations, yet only 64% said their organization has a business continuity plan in place to follow in the event of a cyber security incident. Only 24% claimed their security incidents plan was tested every three months, and only 15% said that it was tested every six to 12 months. Only 2 of 5 respondents said that their organization protects vessels from operational technology (OT) cyber threats, and some respondents went so far as to describe their company policy to OT cyber risk as “careless.”

It’s time for the maritime industry to take a look at every aspect of their ship operations to ensure they’re protected and resilient against these growing threats and attacks. Maritime security intelligence begins with a comprehensive understanding of the risks faced. Today’s maritime security incidents and cyber attacks will only grow with continued digitalization and future technological advances.

In this eBook, we will help you navigate the ins and outs of maritime cybersecurity, review security incidents and maritime cyber attacks, address cybersecurity challenges and compliance considerations, and get you geared up to establish your maritime cybersecurity action plan.

Source: missionsecure

The certificate was delivered to the vice president of SHI, Hyun Joe Kim, by the chief country executive of BV Korea, Christophe Capitant, during a ceremony at SHI R&D Centre in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

As informed, the AiP was delivered for SHI’s “SVESSEL” smart ship solution, which focuses on the complete digitalisation of the ship and its applications to efficiently and safely assist operations.

BV’s Cyber Managed Prepared notation confirms the design’s compliance with the industry’s best practices and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2021 requirements in terms of cyber security, the certification body explained.

According to SHI, the company is confident that the “SVESSEL” solution will strengthen its success and position in the marine and offshore market, which is moving towards autonomous ships in the future.

“Strong cyber security is key to enable shipping to move on to the next level of digitalized and connected ships. For years, SHI has been at the forefront of innovative design and equipment, helping our clients address the risk of cyber-attacks while complying with the current rules and regulations. All the efforts and good collaboration with BV’s expertise led to the issuance of this Approval in Principle”, Hyun Joe Kim, vice president of SHI, said.

Laurent Leblanc, senior vice president Technical & Operations at BV Marine & Offshore, added: “Bureau Veritas is proud to see the successful completion of this AiP with SHI upon the development of this design of an LNG carrier with BV Cyber Managed Prepared notation. This announcement demonstrates it is a viable solution that will support the journey towards smart and autonomous ship technology and cyber security. We are also excited to see this cooperation pave the way for further successes for both SHI and BV in the development of technologies for smart and autonomous shipping and cyber security”.

Earlier this year, SHI signed an agreement with its compatriot Dae Sun Shipbuilding & Engineering to foster technology exchange in the field of smart and eco-friendly ships and share its smart ship system.

Source: offshore-energy.