Published March 2025
Maritime Security: A Comprehensive Guide for Shipowners, Seafarers and Administrations, Second Edition tackles evolving threats like political instability, piracy, terrorism and cyber attacks. It provides a detailed overview on complying with SOLAS and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code requirements, offering guidance on managing and mitigating security threats.
Key features include a model ship security plan, a sample two-year security drill schedule, templates for communication with seafarers' designated contacts and resources for threat and risk assessments. With practical information on operating in high-risk areas, managing cyber risks and handling stowaways, this guide is invaluable for masters, security officers, port personnel and anyone interested in global trade security.
The second edition of Maritime Security: A Comprehensive Guide for Shipowners, Seafarers and Administrations addresses the shifting threats faced by the shipping industry today, from political instability and piracy to terrorism and cyber attacks. It equips readers with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complex landscape of maritime security with confidence.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview on complying with SOLAS and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code statutory requirements, offering guidance on managing and mitigating security threats. References to trusted and new security resources are collected in one place, including the latest Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMP), Maritime Industry Security Threat Overview (MISTO) and more.
Maritime Security also provides practical information on operating in areas of war and war-like risk, managing maritime cyber risks, and handling stowaways and rescues at sea. With a model ship security plan, a sample two-year security drill schedule, templates for communication with seafarers? designated contacts, and resources for threat and risk assessments, this book is an invaluable tool for masters, company security officers, ship security officers, port facility security officers and administrations. It also serves as a useful entry point to the subject for anyone with an interest in maintaining the security of global trade.
Contents
Abbreviations xi
Definitions xiii
Editorial Note xiii
Chapter 1
Introduction 1
1.1 What is Maritime Security? 3
1.2 SOLAS and the ISPS Code 3
1.3 Other Security Threats and Best Practice Guidance 3
1.3.1 Best Management Practices for Maritime Security 4
1.3.2 Maritime Industry Security Threat Overview 5
Chapter 2
Maritime Security Threats 7
2.1 Introduction 9
2.2 Piracy and Armed Robbery 9
2.2.1 Gulf of Guinea 10
2.2.2 Western Indian Ocean 11
2.2.3 South East Asia 12
2.3 Terrorism 13
2.4 War and War-like Risks 14
2.4.1 Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden 16
2.5 Joint War Committee Listed Areas 17
2.6 Cyber Risk Management 17
2.6.1 Maritime Cyber Attacks 17
2.7 Smuggling 18
2.8 Mixed Mass Migration 19
2.9 Stowaways 20
Chapter 3
Overview of Regulatory Requirements 23
3.1 SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code 25
3.1.1 Construction and Carriage Requirements 25
3.2 Company Requirements 29
3.2.1 Company Security Officer 29
3.2.2 Ship Security Assessment 31
3.2.3 Training and Pre-employment Check of Seafarers 35
3.2.4 On Scene Security Assessment 35
3.2.5 Ship Visiting a Country that is not Party to the SOLAS Convention 36
3.3 Shipboard Requirements and Responsibilities 36
3.3.1 Master?s Discretion for Ship Safety and Security 36
3.3.2 Ship Security Officer 37
3.3.3 Duties and Responsibilities of the Officer of the Watch and Security
Patrol/Gangway Watch 40
3.3.4 Drills and Exercises on Ship Security 41
3.3.5 Ship Security Relationships 43
3.3.6 Internationally Established Security Levels 44
3.3.7 The Ship Security Plan 44
3.3.8 The International Ship Security Certificate 45
3.3.9 Continuous Synopsis Record 49
3.3.10 Record of Previous Port Calls 49
3.3.11 Other Information 49
3.4 Ship Vetting Inspections 50
3.5 Contracting State Requirements and Responsibilities 50
3.5.1 Contracting Governments 50
3.5.2 Recognised Security Organisations 51
3.6 Port State Responsibilities During Ship/Port Interface 52
3.6.1 Port State Control 52
3.6.2 Information that may be Required by Port States 52
3.6.3 Security Levels at the Port Facility 53
3.6.4 Declaration of Security 54
3.6.5 Control Measures that a Port State can Impose on Ships 56
3.6.6 Port States that believe a Ship is in Non-compliance with the Requirements
of Part A of the ISPS Code 57
3.6.7 Evidence that Indicates that a Ship does not Comply with the Requirements
of the ISPS Code 58
Chapter 4
The Ship Security Plan 61
4 The Ship Security Plan 63
4.1 The Ship Security Plan 63
4.1.1 Format and Validity of the SSP 63
4.1.2 Particulars and Company Details 63
4.1.3 Master?s Authority 64
4.2 Ship Security Plan content 64
4.2.1 The Three Internationally Adopted Security Levels 65
4.2.2 Minimum Requirements of the Ship Security Plan 65
4.2.3 Procedures and Security Measures to be Addressed in the Ship Security
Plan Relating to all Security Levels 66
4.3 Access to the Ship (and Security Levels) 67
4.3.1 Access Points to the Ship 67
4.3.2 Personal Identification/Means of Identification Controls 68
4.3.3 Key Control 69
4.3.4 Access to the Ship Under the Three Security Levels 70
4.3.5 Shore Leave Access 72
4.3.6 Citadel Access 73
4.4 Restricted Areas on the Ship 74
4.4.1 Management of Restricted Areas at each of the Three Security Levels 76
4.5 Handling of Cargo 77
4.5.1 Handling of Cargo Measures at the Three Security Levels 78
4.6 Delivery of Ship?s Stores 80
4.6.1 Delivery of Ship?s Stores at the Three Security Levels 81
4.7 Handling Baggage 82
4.7.1 Handling Unaccompanied Baggage at each of the Three Security Levels 82
4.7.2 Handling Accompanied Baggage at the Three Security Levels 83
4.8 Monitoring the Security of the Ship 84
4.8.1 Monitoring the Security of the ship at the Three Security Levels 85
4.9 Differing Security Levels 86
4.10 Activities not Covered by the Code 87
4.11 Declaration of Security 88
4.12 Audit and Review 89
4.13 Amendments to the Ship Security Plan 90
4.14 Inspections 91
4.15 Security Drills 92
4.16 Record Keeping 97
Chapter 5
Managing and Mitigating Security Threats 99
5 Managing and Mitigating Security Threats 101
5.1 Introduction 101
5.2 Voluntary Reporting and Registration 102
5.3 Company Threat and Risk Assessment 102
5.3.1 Threat Assessment 102
5.3.2 Risk Assessment 103
5.3.3 Risk Assessment Considerations 103
5.4 Company Planning 103
5.5 Master?s Planning 104
5.6 Ship Protection Measures and Vessel Hardening 104
5.6.1 General 104
5.6.2 Vessel Hardening Plan 106
5.6.3 Watchkeeping and Enhanced Vigilance 110
5.6.4 Bridge Protection 111
5.6.5 Access Control 111
5.6.6 Alarms 113
5.6.7 Lighting 113
5.6.8 Closed Circuit Television 113
5.6.9 Safe Muster Points and Citadels 114
5.6.10 Ship to Ship Transfer and Static Operations and in Port Security 115
5.6.11 Drills and Exercises 115
5.6.12 Routeing and Manoeuvring 115
5.6.13 Unarmed Security Contractors 116
5.6.14 Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel 116
5.6.15 Vessel Protection Detachments 117
5.6.16 Additional Protection Measures 117
5.7 Additional Considerations for Passenger Ship Security 118
5.7.1 Communications and Closed Circuit Television 118
5.7.2 Passengers 118
5.7.3 Stores, Supplies and Provisions 119
5.7.4 Passengers Going Ashore 119
5.7.5 Risk of Terrorism 120
5.7.6 Crowd Management 120
5.7.7 Interaction with Port Facilities 121
5.7.8 Security Contractors 121
5.7.9 On Board Security Team 122
5.8 Contingency Planning for Developing Security Incidents 122
5.9 Post Incident Reporting and Investigation 123
5.10 Humanitarian Considerations 123
5.10.1 Contacting a Seafarer?s Designated Contact 124
5.10.2 Offering and Providing Support 125
5.10.3 Organisations which can Offer Support 125
Annexes 127
Annex A Pre-Arrival Security Clearances 129
Annex B Arrival in Port and Security/shore Access for Seafarers 130
Annex C Checklist of Documentary/Information Requirements for Ships Related to
Security Information 132
Annex D Checklist of ISPS Related Information that may be Required by Port State 133
Annex E Useful Resources on Maritime Security 136
Annex F The Ship Security Assessment 137
Annex G Model Ship Security Plan ? Restricted Part 141
Annex H Model Ship Security Plan ? Confidential Part 202
Annex I Vessel Hardening Plan 236
Annex J Checklist of Shipowner Considerations when a Ship is Entering an Area of
War Risk 249
Annex K Seafarer?s Nomination of a Designated Contact Form 250
Annex L First Call/Visit to a Designated Contact Template 251
Annex M Letter/email to be Sent After Initial Contact Template 252
Annex N Second and Subsequent Call/Visit Template 253
Annex O Designated Contact Call Log 254
