Defence & Royal Navy Liaison
Defence Committee
Membership of the Chamber’s Defence Committee is restricted for security reasons nevertheless the Chamber maintains a broad dialogue between the shipping industry and the Ministry of Defence and other international defence groups and coalitions.
The joint Ministry of Defence/shipping industry Shipping Defence Advisory Committee allows regular meetings between military and commercial interests to take place.
Maritime Trade Operations (MTO)
The Royal Navy’s Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) unit is based in Dubai. MTO responds to the needs of all UK interest vessels and during 2007 a daily average of 90 position reports were routinely received. In addition the MTO unit continues to provide security briefings and advice to visiting ships and company personnel.
The MTO service provides an absolutely essential service, through the Merchant Vessel Voluntary reporting Scheme, of reassurance to ships in the region east of Suez where innocent commercial shipping faces a variety of maritime security threats.
Merchant Vessel Voluntary Reporting Scheme
The UK Royal Navy’s Maritime Trade Organisation (MTO) has been established in Dubai since October 2001 as an extension of Royal Navy operations in the region. Although the MTO team focus is in support of UK flag and UK interest shipping in the area, it works closely with coalition forces and is available to provide support across the entire maritime industry including shipping of all flag registry and ownership.
The voluntary reporting scheme covers the Red Sea, Indian Ocean north of 5S as well as the Arabian Gulf. On a voluntary basis only, ships of any flag or ownership are invited to report to the Maritime Trade Operations team in Dubai on passing the following reference points:
a. Suez for vessels entering or leaving the Region via the Red Sea
b. 5S for ships entering or leaving the Region via the Indian Ocean (east)
c. 78E for ships entering or leaving the Region via the Indian Ocean (south).
See link: http://www.rncom.mod.uk/templates/MaritimeOperations.cfm?id=902
NATO Operation Endeavour
As a result of the terrorist attacks in the US, NATO launched Operation Active Endeavour as part of the Global War on Terrorism. A voluntary reporting system for merchant shipping in the Mediterranean has been in place since 2001.
See link: http://www.shipping.nato.int/ActiveEnde
Royal Naval Secondee to the Chamber of Shipping
With the Royal Navy’s continued work to maintain their good relations with the Merchant Navy, the 1st Sea Lords office has provided a Lieutenant on permanent secondment to the Chamber. His role is to act as a point of contact for the industry on all defence related issues as well as running an active engagement programme for the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee.
Contact Details: Oliver Craven oliver.craven@british-shipping.org or 020 7417 2838
Merchant Navy Liaison Officer
The aim of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines / Merchant Navy Liaison Voyage Scheme (MNLV) is to foster good relations between the MN and RN, by providing Merchant Navy Officers with experience of Royal Navy operations (and vice versa) and encouraging Merchant Navy liaison in all defence matters. The Liaison Officer also provides arrange of shore based courses for serving Merchant Navy officers.
See link: http://www.rncom.mod.uk