Joint venture to raise maritime security standards
EU Commission recommendations advise states to regain control over exercising force on the high seas through the implementation of an effective vetting and training system of private security personnel.
The Poole UK based Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre (MMWC) has entered into a joint venture agreement with specialist maritime security company Independent Maritime Security Associates Ltd (IMSA) to combine accredited private maritime security training with anti-piracy Best Management Practice and the most comprehensive piracy intelligence.
The joint venture is a key component of MMWC’s overall business strategy to raise the standard of security onboard merchant ships through the provision of well trained and vetted personnel who are supported by the latest and best intelligence, a vision also shared by IMSA Ltd.
‘With Naval forces being ever more thinly spread, it has become clear that there is little alternative other than private security playing an increasingly important role in the protection of merchant vessels, said MMWC chairman Nick Davis. ‘But still lacking is a coordinated approach between an accredited training course, anti-piracy Best Management Practice and an international, legal framework by which security companies and their personnel must comply. Through our partnership with IMSA we aim to start this process.’
The joint venture comes at the same time as the EU Commission recalls its recommendations to regulate private maritime security. Acknowledging the role private firms play in the modern piracy epidemic, the recommendations advise states to regain control over exercising force on the high seas through the implementation of an effective vetting and training system of private security personnel. This would be tighter controlled by an oversight, investigatory and enforcement system that would also serve to protect the social rights of private security company employees.
‘We are greatly encouraged by the EU’s plans to issue new guidelines, said John Twiss, COO of IMSA Ltd. ‘For a long time now private security training and the vetting of personnel has been left to individual security firms’ discretion with the onus on shipping companies to perform the due diligence. Any new framework that facilitates cohesion and better protects the interests of crew will greatly benefit the industry.’
The joint venture sees the amalgamation of IMSA’s reputable ISPS training courses with MMWC’s anti-piracy intelligence, comprehensive resources and entrepreneurial suite of anti-piracy products which commenced with the launch of the new Ship Security Officer Plus+ (SSOplus+) course.
‘The new SSOplus+ course is designed to provide private security professionals and merchant mariners with the accredited SSO syllabus, as directed by the IMO model course, but with additional
modules that take in to account today’s piracy epidemic. Providing an insight into the why’s and wherefores of the commercial maritime industry, the course is concluded within the 3 days of the standard SSO making it cost efficient for the delegate.’
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