Mega-terrorism threat to maritime workers

OECD outlines need for Major Industry Shakeup

Maritime transport looms large in the eyes of security agencies worldwide as a prime target or vehicle for mega terrorism.
Shipping, long based on the unfettered flow of trade, is now a source of alarm for world governments.

In the latest of a long string of reports on maritime security the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) describes the industry as 'wide open' and 'porous' with a long history of illegal smuggling, piracy and hijacking.

And while the 50-page report does not point a direct finger at flag of convenience shipping, there are plenty of veiled references. It is peppered with remarks such as "vessel owners can and do easily hide their true identities."

Some 46,000 vessels servicing 4000 world ports carry around 5.8 billion tonnes or 80 per cent of world trade - including drugs, guns and contraband. The US reported 950 seizures of around 223, 502 kilos in drugs on ships from 1996-1998.

"Sea-going vessels can be the vector for, or target of, attacks," the report reads. "They can also serve to facilitate other attacks and/or raise revenue for terrorist organisations."

Terrorists could turn a ship into a weapon, or detonate a weapon hidden a container in a major population centre. Or target vessels, like the suicide attack against the USS Cole and oil tanker Limberg.

They could also use seafarer identity papers to smuggle operatives through a port or hijack legitimate cargoes of weapons or dangerous chemicals. Or they could own vessels outright, as do al Qaeda and the Tamil Tigers.

Modern day pirates are armed and organised. And there is growing concern of a link between piracy and terrorism. Pirates have been known to hijack an entire vessel, sell the cargo, rename the ship and use it as a ghost vessel to hijack more cargo. They often have an accomplice stowed away on board the target ship or serving among the crew with forged seafarer certificates bought on the black market.

The risks to maritime workers are enormous. Even with 24-hour inspections in in the US assisted by the US National Guard, the OECD reports only 20 per cent of incoming containers could realistically be physically inspected.

The upshot is the industry is in for a major shake-up. The new International Maritime Organisation security code must be in place by July 2004. It will cost billions. But the OECD says it has a 'silver lining'. The benefits of security measures go beyond mitigating the risk of terrorism. There is long term potential to change long established maritime practices for the better.

The International Ship and Port Safety Code - IMO changes to the Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) encompasses a four pronged safety strategy:

• the need to track vessels

• the need for port and ship security

• need for seafarer ID

• need to ensure integrity of containerised cargo

It includes both mandatory and voluntary measures for ports, ships and governments.

It is mandatory for governments to set in place security alerts at ports so that ships can be evacuated and cargo operations stopped. Port facility security officers, port facility security plans and ship security plans are also mandatory.

Ships must all carry an electronic ID tracking system, an ID number painted on the vessel and a ship security alert system by July. Seafarers must all carry the new biometric ID papers.

Vessel owning and operating companies must ensure each vessel has an International Ship Security Certificate, a company and ship security officer, security assessment and security plan by July, 2004.

The ISPS code requires employers to provide special training and drills for port workers. Ship's crew should undergo a one-hour drill every three months.

Like ships, the worlds 6,500 ports must have evacuation procedures in case of a security breach. Port access is restricted. But the code respects shore leave for ship crew and access for representatives of seafarer's welfare groups and unions.