What you need to know about maritime safety and security

Maritime transport represents a primary link in the global supply chain. Not only are the world’s seas and waterways a transport highway, but they are also natural resources for food, raw materials and energy.

Shipping and ships represent great monetary and symbolic value and can therefore be the target of security threats such as robbery, piracy or terrorist attacks. For merchant ships and civilian vessels, there is a need to perform a risk analysis which ultimately leads to developing a security plan. The security plan outlines strategies for mitigating risk and reducing the likelihood and ramifications of an attack. Security risks are not always malicious, but maintaining vessel safety is a constant priority.

Maritime industry

Maritime security is a specialised field in the marine sector, and Ship Security Officers must employ best practices to defend their vessels against both internal and external threats. These threats come in various forms and each requires a different strategy for a proper defence. 

Maritime safety and security – definition

Marine safety concerns the regulation of shipping, port security, the safety of seafarers, search and rescue provision, and the protection of the marine environment.

Innovative solutions and affordable deployment of technologies are fundamental to the security of ships.

Maritime security is a global concern in the present world. Severe threats could be posed if maritime security is jeopardized, as has been proven by many incidents in recent times. Maritime security is a large and sometimes not fully understood concept to many observers.

Is piracy a crime?

Modern piracy is a severe threat to shipping, especially on the trade routes between Europe, Africa and Asia. Crewmembers and passengers have been and continue to be injured, held hostage, abducted or even killed in pirate attacks.

Given that the marine sector is so vast and the massive amount of goods entering ports is difficult to screen, every precaution to minimise malicious exploitation is critical.

Security is the responsibility of the crew as a whole and not only the job of the Ship Security Officers, which is why it’s so crucial for ship operators to educate and train their employees in accordance with the mandated regulations. Hence, their vessels have a better chance of intercepting security threats.

Therefore, for merchant, civilian and naval ships, there is a need to analyse the threat and reduce the possible harmful effects of an attack. In our opinion, as specialists in maritime security, every crew member on board any ship, civilian or military, must undergo security training. 

It is a significant task involving many entities from international, public and private sectors aiming at:

• preserving the freedom of the seas

• facilitating and defending commerce

• maintaining good governance at sea

Safe sea marine service

Shipping and ships represent great monetary and symbolic value and can therefore be the target of security threats such as robbery, piracy or terrorist attack.

The purpose of naval ships is to protect (offensively and defensively) national interests against threats during war or other types of crisis. Therefore, for merchant, civilian and naval vessels, there is a need to analyse the threat and reduce the possible harmful effects of an attack.

Neural Guard is a dynamic technology company constantly developing Artificial Intelligence-based auto-detection solutions for the security screening market.

We strongly believe that maritime training is one of the most important factors to consider in achieving safe and secure operations of vessels. This is why we consider that our courses, specifically designed and crafted for maritime security professionals, do provide the proper knowledge, response and training to our trainees to enable them to fulfil their respective roles.

Our maritime safety security solution is tailored for the unique needs of the maritime industry so that you can continuously adapt to evolving challenges. We help our customers stay ahead of maritime developments to better support the people and organisations that depend on them.

If you would like to know more about how we can support your maritime needs, please contact us!