Security – Professional Mariner

08 Jun

DNV warns of insufficient investment in cybersecurity

Rich MillerMaritime NewsSecurity

(OSLO, Norway) — New research published by DNV reveals that less than half (40 percent) of maritime professionals think their organization is investing enough in cybersecurity at a time when vessels and other critical infrastructure are becoming increasingly networked and connected to IT systems. While the maritime industry has focused on enhancing IT security over recent decades, the security of…

17 May

Three Crowley-managed tankers to serve in security role

Rich MillerMaritime NewsSecurity, shipping

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) – Three Crowley-managed tankers have been selected by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) to serve in its Tanker Security Program (TSP). The program ensures a commercial fleet can readily transport liquid fuel supplies in times of need for the U.S. Defense Department. The selected medium-range tankers are part of a joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk USA…

30 Mar

MarAd chief cites growing crew gap for U.S. sealift fleet

Rich MillerMaritime NewsLicensing and training, Security

(WASHINGTON) — The head of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) is "not at all confident” that all the ships in the Ready Reserve Fleet could be crewed if called to duty in a crisis, USNI News reported. The United States was already short 1,800 credentialed mariners for its vessels before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, retired Rear Adm. Ann…

16 Mar

MarAd updates security warning for Mideast waters

Rich MillerMaritime NewsSecurity, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — On March 3, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) issued a revised advisory (2023-003) to U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and western Indian Ocean. The advisory warns that regional conflict, heightened military activity and increased political tensions continue to pose…

15 Mar

Ports group dispels security threat from Chinese cranes

Rich MillerMaritime NewsPorts, Security

(WASHINGTON) — The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has existed for 111 years to share collective knowledge and best practices on port security and safety. American public port authorities band together when it comes to security, safety, serving the public, serving the military, and serving the national interest. Last week, AAPA clarified the record on recent reports that cranes…

23 Feb

Global piracy down, but violence plagues South American ports

Rich MillerMaritime NewsSecurity, shipping

(LONDON) — Despite reports of global piracy declining for the second year in a row, the number of robbery incidents in the Singapore Strait reached a seven-year high in 2022 and vessels anchored in South American ports continue to be attacked by violent perpetrators, Gard reported. Global piracy and armed robbery numbers decreased in 2022, according to the International Maritime…

30 Jan

Coast Guard pursues maximum fine for AIS deactivation

Rich MillerMaritime NewsSecurity, U.S. Coast Guard

(ASTORIA, Ore.) — The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing a civil penalty against a commercial fishing vessel for violating automatic identification system (AIS) regulations near the mouth of the Columbia River on Dec. 3. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River detected a commercial fishing vessel deactivating its AIS while underway near the mouth of the river in violation of 33 Code…

23 Jan

IMB urges continued vigilance as global piracy declines

Rich MillerMaritime NewsLicensing and training, piracy, Security

(LONDON) — The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is calling for efforts to be sustained worldwide as maritime piracy and armed robbery attacks reached their lowest recorded level in almost three decades. The IMB’s annual report recorded 115 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2022 – compared to 132 in 2021 – with half of them occurring in…

17 Oct

MarAd updates warning for Persian Gulf, nearby areas

Rich MillerMaritime Newspiracy, Security, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — While the Indian Ocean piracy "high risk area" will be removed on Jan. 1, 2023, regional conflicts, heightened military activity and increased political tensions continue to pose threats to merchant vessels operating in this geographic area, warns the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd). On Aug. 30, MarAd issued a revised advisory (2022-08) to U.S.-flagged commercial vessels operating in the…