Maritime security
The Working Group on Maritime Security was re-established to consider issues relating to the implementation of the special measures to enhance maritime security which were adopted by the Organization in 2002 and entered into force on 1 July 2004.
Following their development by the Working Group, the MSC approved the following MSC circulars:
- Guidance to masters, companies and duly authorized officers on the requirements relating to the submission of security-related information prior to the entry of a ship into port, which includes a standardized data-set of security-related information that ships could be expected to provide in advance of their arrival in port;
- Interim Guidance on voluntary self-assessment by SOLAS Contracting Governments and by port facilities, which includes a self-assessment questionnaire to assist SOLAS Contracting Governments in the implementation of, and the maintenance of compliance with, the requirements of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and of the ISPS Code;
- Guidance relating to the implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and of the ISPS Code;
- Reminder of the obligation to notify flag States when exercising control and compliance measures; and
- a revised MSC circular on False security alerts and distress/security double alerts to replace, in essence, MSC/Circ.1109.
Maritime security - AIS ship data
In relation to the issue of freely available automatic information system (AIS)-generated ship data on the world-wide web, the MSC agreed that the publication on the world-wide web or elsewhere of AIS data transmitted by ships could be detrimental to the safety and security of ships and port facilities and was undermining the efforts of the Organization and its Member States to enhance the safety of navigation and security in the international maritime transport sector. The Committee condemned the regrettable publication on the world-wide web, or elsewhere, of AIS data transmitted by ships and urged Member Governments, subject to the provisions of their national laws, to discourage those who make available AIS data to others for publication on the world-wide web, or elsewhere from doing so.
In addition, the Committee condemned those who irresponsibly publish AIS data transmitted by ships on the world-wide web, or elsewhere, particularly if they offer services to the shipping and port industries.
Global Programmes on Maritime Security
The MSC noted that under the Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme there was a range of technical assistance activities planned within two global programmes, including support for security seminars/workshops and train-the-trainer courses. The MSC urged Member States and industry to support the International Maritime Security Trust Fund and the two global programmes, in particular with regards to making experts with practical experience of the implementation of security measures available to assist in future technical co-operation projects for capacity-building.
Piracy and armed robbery against ships
The Committee noted that the number of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported to have occurred during the first nine months of 2004 was 252, a decrease of 28% over the figure for the first nine months of 2003. However, the Committee noted with concern the reported increase in the level of violence used during attacks on ships and urged all Governments and the industry to intensify and co-ordinate their efforts to eradicate these unlawful acts.
In many of the reports received, the crews were violently attacked by groups of five to ten people carrying knives or guns. The Committee was particularly concerned to note that that 30 crew members and passengers were reportedly killed, 94 were injured and 113 were taken hostage. Amongst those confirmed as still missing and unaccounted for to date were 36 crew members including 17 crew members thrown overboard in the reported incidents.
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