Maritime security encompasses much more than just the military’s role in keeping the oceans safe from harm. It includes protecting the seas and oceans as a source of food, ensuring their cleanliness, and maintaining peace. The seas and oceans, which make up 70% of the earth’s surface, are vital for transportation, including the movement of goods and food that cannot be easily transported by air. However, criminal organizations often seek out weaknesses in the supply chain to exploit for nefarious purposes, leading to acts of piracy, armed robbery, and hostage taking. Ensuring maritime security preserves the rule of law beyond national jurisdiction and safeguards the long-term welfare of the seas and oceans.
Government actors alone cannot provide sufficient security for the vast expanse of the oceans. As an alternative, privately contracted maritime security companies (PMSCs) offer teams of armed guards for hire to protect ships as they pass through high-risk areas. In recent years, the center of maritime criminal activity has shifted from East Africa to West Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of shipping and travel on the oceans. It works to address security threats through the Maritime Safety Committee, Legal Committee, and Facilitation Committee, and develops guidelines and regulations through the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The ISPS Code consists of compulsory security requirements for shipping companies, port authorities, and governments in Part A, and non-compulsory guidelines for meeting those requirements in Part B. The goal of the ISPS Code is to ensure that member states’ port facilities and ships maintain the highest level of security in a feasible and sustainable manner.
If you want to learn more about this topic, keep an eye out for our skills programme on maritime security, launching later this year.
