(CARDIFF, United Kingdom) — Shipowners and managers can now view what security threats a country poses to shipping lines with the click of a button thanks to a new live interactive map.
The security and risk mapping system RiskMap provides a new and unique way of viewing and categorizing up-to-the-minute security threats from around the world.
RiskMap automatically analyzes thousands of news articles every day, by assessing the threat posed, classifying the risk and identifying the location. It automatically summarizes articles of interest by selecting the most important information that is relevant to the event. It can also understand large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
The risks identified represent issues surrounding security, health and migration and can include anything from earthquakes to conflict updates.
James Morgan, IT developer at RiskMap Intelligence, said: “This is a real game changer, not only for ship owners and managers, but anyone who deals with the movement of equipment or humans. It provides them with one source for getting an instant picture of what’s going on in a particular place. It’s a platform that gives you the intelligence you need to build risk assessments — and that is definitely a game changer.”
When users visit the website, they will immediately see a world map and can click on the dots displayed on each country, and find out the risks or threats they represent. They can also access information on the ports and view the services that are available at those locations.
Countries are allocated a color on the map that represents how high or low risk it is, with the highest-risk counties being displayed in red.
Each country also has a profile that provides details of its population and a general overview of potential risks in the three main areas of security, health and migration in that particular country.
RiskMap Intelligence, part of The Marshals Group (TMG), has been under development over the past two years.
“A lot of our clients were demanding risk assessments linked to piracy on both the east and west coasts of Africa," Morgan said. "We started collecting information and developed an internal system where we stored everything. But we soon realized its potential, so we decided to set it up as its own brand, under its own company and launch it to the public.”
The website will continue to be developed with other functions being added, including a section for piracy threats and information on marine safety, hospitals, airports and embassies.
For more information, visit www.riskmap.com.
