Feature, Freight News, Sea

Best Practices Compiled for Maritime Security

[ April 11, 2025   //   Gary Burrows ]

Six industry associations, supported by more than 40 maritime stakeholders, have released a consolidated and enhanced publication: Best Management Practices (BMP) for Maritime Security (MS).

The industry organizations are BIMCO;  International Chamber of Shipping, or ICS; International Marine Contractors Association or IMCA; the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, or INTERCARGO; International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, or INTERTANKO; and Ocean Companies International Maritime Forum, or OCIMF.

The interactive online publication consolidates previously published regional publications into a single, comprehensive publication with actionable insights and advice.  It focuses on providing a threat and risk management process and, recognizing the dynamic nature of regional security situations, provides signposts to direct users to the most up-to-date security intelligence and risk assessment information. BMP MS is available to download here.

Seafarers operating ships around the world encounter a range of maritime security threats, which often involve aggressive state and non-state actors. Although these threats vary across regions and in their severity, they can have a traumatic effect on seafarers who face unwarranted physical and mental harm. In some cases, being held as hostages and subjected to violence and ill-treatment for extended periods.

“2024 saw an unprecedented spike in attacks against merchant ships. Ships were attacked with weapons of war in the Black Sea and in the Southern Red Sea more than 100 times, and four innocent seafarers lost their lives, said David Loosley, secretary general and CEO of BIMCO. “Globally, 126 seafarers were held hostage during pirate attacks and armed robberies, and 12 seafarers were kidnapped.”

To counter the threat, existing BMP guidance has greatly improved the industry’s ability to understand, detect, and deter maritime security threats in recent years, but the advice needs to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threat environment. In BMP Maritime Security, users can navigate easily to different sections and link directly to external sources. Additionally, the publication includes various diagrams that provide valuable learning opportunities. The publication includes a significant section detailing global authorities and, importantly, appropriate contacts and tools for seafarer welfare support.

“BMP MS will reduce risks and save lives. While we cannot control how the threats will develop in 2025 and beyond, we can make sure that we have the best tools available to help protect our seafarers and world trade,” Loosley said.

“From the conflict in Ukraine to the Red Sea crisis, the dangers faced by shipping have increased to a severity not seen in two generations,” said Guy Platten, ICS secretary general. “This new global BMP continues the shipping industry’s unswerving commitment to protecting seafarers and mitigating threats to the trade on which we all depend.”

“BMP Maritime Security provides a consolidated resource that helps vessels proactively manage risk, safeguard the welfare of crews, and enhance maritime security resilience worldwide,” said Iain Grainger, IMCA CEO. “People are our key asset, so IMCA is proud to support this initiative, ensuring that best practices continue to evolve alongside the challenges our industry faces.”

Kostas G. Gkonis, director/secretary general of IMCA, said this collaboration “cuts across traditional sector boundaries to deliver clear, actionable security protocols to protect those working at sea.”

Tags: BIMCO, ICS, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, OCIMF