Maritime security and defence
The Chamber played a key role at a national and international level in formulating the new security regimes for maritime transport following the terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001. In fact UK maritime security was before that date effectively provided by the UK’s Merchant Shipping & Maritime Security Act of 1997.
Different approaches are of course required to provide security of the public travelling on ferry and cruise ships and to cargoes and large volumes of bulk and containerised cargo which are carried in very different types of ships on a vast number of different routes.
For international shipping the IMO’s International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code introduced as an amendment to SOLAS entered force on 1st July 2004. The Code is now fully established and provides protective measures and reassurance in the face of continuing threats to maritime trading interests, to seafarers and the travelling public.
At a national level the Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport is responsible for regulating the security of public transport services including ships and ferries. All international and domestic ferry and shipping services fall within this security regime which provides - much in the same way as seen in the aviation sector - physical security measures and security procedures to ensure the safe and secure transport of passengers and trade.
In the UK, implementation of the IMO requirements, the EU regulations and other security requirements for domestic shipping, form part of the National Maritime Security Programme (NMSP). This programme brings together the UK's existing maritime security regime and the various international and European initiatives to provide a comprehensive protective security regime for UK ships and ports. The Chamber fully supports these arrangements and continues to work with government and industry to ensure a safe and secure environment for passengers and cargoes.
Responsibility for the maintenance of regime lies with The National Maritime Security Committee (NMSC) which meets regularly to act as a forum for consultation between the government, the Chamber of Shipping and through it the wider maritime industry and staff representatives consider the Government's existing and proposed maritime security policies. A Shipping and a Ports sub-committee exist to provide the development and implementation of those policies.
Current information on the risks of terrorism for British Nationals overseas, including those travelling on cruise itineraries, can be found on the FCO website at: