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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Industry Talk: BIMCO And ISO Join Forces To Establish PMSC Standards

Filed under: Industry Talk,Maritime Security — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 10:07 AM

Compliance with the new ISO Standard will provide a number of advantages and assurances for Shipowners as well as PMSCs. Together with BIMCO’s GUARDCON the Shipowner will have a solid foundation on which to base the choice of armed security providers. Furthermore, for the PMSC, compliance with the new ISO Standard together with the use of BIMCO GUARDCON will constitute a hallmark of professionalism.

Great news and having an association like BIMCO behind this is a big push.  BIMCO is the largest international shipping association in the world. Here is a blurb from their website about how big.

BIMCO is the largest of the international shipping associations representing ship-owners controlling around 65 percent of the world’s tonnage and with members in more than 120 countries drawn from a broad range of stakeholders having a vested interest in the shipping industry, including managers, brokers and agents.

So when you have that kind of power to back something like an ISO standard for PMSC’s, I think that is significant. Couple this with the efforts of other groups like ASIS getting an ANSI rating for a code of conduct, and the efforts of the ICoC and you can see that momentum is gathering for making PMSC’s a legitimate market of force.  Not to mention all of the input and hard work that industry associations have put into these standards.

The end result will be internationally recognized standards for what is a quality PMSC–or an ‘ISO Standard‘.

On the other hand, I certainly hope that the ISO is truly universal and not biased towards one country or another. It should be a standard that any country that has PMSC’s can achieve and participate in, with reasonable investment. Because this is the thing with standards–you just don’t get those for free.

I am also wary of those who wish to turn the standardization process into a over regulated money making scheme. Sure we want standards, but who wants a set of rules that makes business unprofitable because of all of the extra costs? Or basically creating an industry that profits from regulating another industry. I certainly hope this regulation and accreditation industry does not get out of hand. So this is something to watch as we get closer to an ISO standard for this industry.

I say this, because if you look at what is going on with the maritime security market, you see the companies continue to tack on training requirements that are just overkill it seems. For example, in my last maritime security job post, Control Risks listed these requirements for work.

Essential:
-Minimum of 5 years military experience
-Prior experience of mobile or static maritime security
-Fluent English
-FPOS I as a minimum
-ISPS SSO Qualification
-STCW 95
-ENG 1 Medical (or recognised equivalent)
-Criminal Record Check
-Seaman’s Book
-Yellow Fever inoculation certificate

lol. I mean look at all of that crap that contractors have to have as requirements to be ‘armed guards on boats’?  And I have seen this with other companies that have flown these jobs as well. The catch is that many of them do ‘training’ on top of providing security teams, so having these requirements only helps them to make money off of that side business called training and certification. So where does it end and will an ISO give these companies even more angles to overburden contractors with cost and hoops to jump through?

Not only that, but check out the £220 cost for an SIA license as an example? Or all of the hoops you need to go through just to get that SIA license? So I appreciate an ISO Standard, but I certainly hope we don’t go down the path of over regulation. Or maybe an ISO will put a stop to over regulation, just because if everyone meets the ISO standard, what is the point of going beyond that standard? Interesting stuff and we will see how it goes. –Matt

 

BIMCO – ISO join forces to establish PMSC standards
ISO standard will be available in 2012 as a Publicly Available Specification
05/08/2012
In a joint submission to the 90th session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, BIMCO and ISO explain that work is underway to establish an ISO standard for the accreditation and certification of PMSCs (private maritime security companies) providing contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships.
The new ISO standard will be available in 2012 as a Publicly Available Specification. Because the reputation and recognition of the organisations involved provide essential legitimacy, BIMCO firmly believes that this is the best and swiftest methodology to develop the process through which to audit with the necessary thoroughness. In IMO precedent has been set before with endorsement of ISO standards and it is hoped that IMO will also endorse this new ISO standard and thereby help speedily resolve this complex issue.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Maritime Security: BIMCO Publishes Much Anticipated GUARDCON Contract

Filed under: Maritime Security — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 10:25 AM

This is great news. BIMCO is the largest shipping association out there, and with it’s large membership pool, it has some pull. So when they come up with a standard contract for armed guards on boats, then that helps to create a single standard that all of the companies, lawyers and insurance providers can work from. This is important, because with a standard like this there is no guess work. Either your company meets the standard, or it does not. A standardized contract also helps to mitigate the principal agent problem, and it is a means to protect the interest of both parties.

As to commentary on the GUARDCON Contract, I would head over to Close Protection World’s Maritime Security Forum. The guys are already discussing it and it’s possible impact on the industry.

On a side note, it is interesting to me that a NGO like BIMCO has the ability to determine the appropriate rules for the use of force, and basically guide all of their members to use those rules. I am used to countries and their military leaders dictating what the appropriate rules are, just because they have the monopoly on the use of force throughout the world. In this case, a NGO is now dictating that. What an odd set of circumstances… –Matt

Copies and Information about GUARDCON Contract here.

 

BIMCO publishes much anticipated GUARDCON Contract
March 28, 2012
BIMCO is pleased to announce the publication of the GUARDCON standard contract for the employment of security guards on vessels. This brand new contract has been developed to provide ship owners and private maritime security companies (PMSC) with a clearly worded and comprehensive standard contract to govern the employment and use of security guards, with or without firearms, on board merchant vessels. While BIMCO would not like to see the use of armed security guards on ships becoming institutionalised, it recognises that while the industry awaits a more permanent long term solution, armed guards currently provide an effective deterrent to piracy attacks.
BIMCO’s Chief Officer Legal and Contractual Affairs, Grant Hunter said “In response to ship owners’ increasing demand for security services, an ever growing number of private maritime security companies have entered the market to meet that demand. In the absence of a standard contract for these services, ship owners and their P&I Clubs are currently faced with the difficult and time consuming task of assessing large numbers of contracts from these security companies, all with varying terms and conditions.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Maritime Security: SeaHold GEOSHIPS Subsidiary Wins Contract For Anti-Piracy Vessel

Filed under: Maritime Security — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 12:41 PM

“This is an exciting contract for us and vessel protection is an area of increasing concern. The escort vessel offers 24/7 protection to commercial vessels passing through high risk areas.
“It can establish the intent of crafts in the vicinity of the commercial vessel and intercept if needed. This safety cordon around the client vessel helps to protect it from potential criminal activity.” -BSL, managing director, Rennie Cameron

Congrats to all of the parties involved with this contract. Hopefully these vessels do the trick for escort work? The other part of this deal is what they have planned for the future.

Plans are already in place to consider expanding with BSL as ship managers, to four or five vessels in 2012, which would lead to a turnover of around £7.5 to £9.5million per annum.

Now I have yet to hear any recent news about JLT’s private navy deal, but it looks like these guys are certainly spinning up their own little armada and pressing forward? –Matt

 

SeaHold GEOSHIPS subsidiary wins contract for anti-piracy vessel
November 22, 2011
SeaHold GEOSHIPS Ltd’s subsidiary company Brooking Shipping Limited (BSL), has been awarded a contract for an ‘escort vessel’ which is anticipated to generate £1.9 million each year.
This is the first contract BSL has been awarded since being acquired by the shipping and marine contractor, GEOSHIPS.
BSL, the marine division of GEOSHIPS, has been appointed the escort vessel contract by Mercator International Limited, for the technical and crew management of the new build 36m vessel, Express Opportune, a fast support intervention vessel capable of 25 knots and specifically prepared for the anti-piracy role.
BSL took delivery of the vessel in Singapore and the contract is initially for six months with automatic extensions. The work will primarily be in support of commercial ships transiting the Arabian Gulf and East Africa areas.
Escort vessels act as a visible threat deterrent and enforce an exclusion zone around a commercial vessel. They also provide specialist security teams trained in the use of fast intercept craft and counter boarding operations.
For the initial six months, the value of the contract to the company is worth over £1million and a Letter of Intent has been received for a second escort vessel to operate in similar geographical regions.
GEOSHIPS, group chief financial officer, Neil Donald, said: “I am delighted that Brooklyn Shipping Ltd has secured its first contract under the GEOSHIPS umbrella and is diversifying its skills out with the oil and gas industry.
“Entering into this contract reinforces the firm’s continued commitment to optimising safety for crews. This type of vessel allows operators to take advantage of business in new areas that were previously considered too high risk to enter.”
BSL, managing director, Rennie Cameron, said: “This is an exciting contract for us and vessel protection is an area of increasing concern. The escort vessel offers 24/7 protection to commercial vessels passing through high risk areas.
“It can establish the intent of crafts in the vicinity of the commercial vessel and intercept if needed. This safety cordon around the client vessel helps to protect it from potential criminal activity.”
Plans are already in place to consider expanding with BSL as ship managers, to four or five vessels in 2012, which would lead to a turnover of around £7.5 to £9.5million per annum.
GEOSHIPS current fleet of three multi-purpose offshore vessels includes its first vessel Stril Explorer, which was taken on an 18 month charter earlier this year, and two new vessels, Loch Erisort and Loch Roag, which are on long term charters and will be delivered during 2012.
Story here.

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ESCORT VESSELS

Escorts can be provided for vessels transiting high risk areas or those engaged in specialist operations such as cable laying, rig moves and surveying. Escorts can be a platform for accommodation, maintenance and as a base for protection. The advantage of an escort vessel is the ability to intercept and determine the intent of approaching craft. This creates a cordon around the client vessel enabling it to operate safe from the risk of attack. It can also provide an early warning of benign craft such as fishing vessels and nets. Potential threats can be identified early and with the vessels clearly visable protection and trained security personnel onboardis often itself an effective deterrent against piracy and criminal activity.

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Friday, November 4, 2011

Maritime Security: Guards Must Be Regulated, Says BIMCO

Filed under: Maritime Security — Tags: , , — Matt @ 10:29 AM

This is funny. BIMCO was one of the signators of that letter on the request to use UN guards on boats.  I guess that idea went out the window? Or maybe that was a political ploy to get governments to act on the legalities of armed guards on boats, because the alternative of using blue helmets was a bridge too far?

As to the idea of setting up some contract guidelines that covers all of the basis for armed guards on boats, is great. Anything that helps to alleviate the legal issues on these vessels and during transits, just so we can continue to get more guards on these vessels. Although I would highly suggest to BIMCO to not be biased towards purely using British security companies.

The reason why I say that is because of this quote:

Noakes estimates that between 6,000 and 7,000 personnel would be needed to deploy four-man armed teams on around 50% of vessels transiting the Indian Ocean or Gulf of Aden. But that number of professional operatives does not exist.

I disagree with Noakes on this matter. There are plenty of operatives to use, but that would require opening up the market to bring in US and/or other Nationalities. But for US companies specifically, the infrastructure, manpower, management, and most of all, experience in high threat operations is there. US companies have also been operating in two wars, and multiple other countries in this war for the last 10 years. Hell, just look at the last USCENTCOM report if you want an idea on the numbers of contractors, and our flexibility.

It is a ridiculous assumption to say that the industry cannot handle filling in these guard positions. Especially with today’s global mess of an economy, and especially with this massive pool of unemployed combat veterans. But yet again, in order to tap into this pool of resources, that would require being more inclusive towards this market of force.

Not everyone can be Royal Marines or SAS/SBS. Nor can everyone you hire be a Navy SEAL or CAG.  But you can find plenty of veterans with tons of combat experience in these wars, that can certainly handle a weapon and pull guard duty on a boat. You can also find plenty of companies out there that can certainly answer the call and fill a contract.

On the other hand, you get what you pay for.  If you want to attract the organized and experienced PSC’s and PMC’s that I am talking about, then you are going to have to pay a reasonable price to get them. If you want to go cheap, then of course you are going to have problems. But that can be alleviated as well, by just passing on the costs to your customers. You just have to look at your security as something that is as important and as vital as a mechanic or ship’s captain. Plus, 100 percent success rate for armed guards repelling pirate attacks is a hard statistic to argue against. If it works, then ramp it up and get armed guards on boats. –Matt

 

Guards Must Be Regulated, Says Bimco
November 4th, 2011
Bimco plans to introduce an armed-guard contract as fears grow that scores of second-rate companies are jumping on the piracy bandwagon.
The move comes as UK prime minister David Cameron confirmed that the UK is reversing its position and in future armed guards will be permitted on ships flying the Red Ensign.
Giles Noakes, Bimco’s chief maritime-security officer, says the new contract is to protect the interests of shipowners using privately contracted armed security personnel.
“We have been forced into a position where large numbers of owners and operators are using armed guards,” said Noakes.
“Unfortunately, growth is exponential and there are a large number of cowboys out there jumping on the bandwagon.”
The new contract will be aimed at ensuring that armed-guard companies follow the guidelines to owners in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) MSC Circular 1405.
The circular is designed to provide “hoops” that security companies must jump through to prove they are capable of doing the job.

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Monday, September 12, 2011

Maritime Security: The Global Shipping Industry Wants The UN To Provide Guards–Oh Really?

Filed under: Maritime Security — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 4:43 PM

This is cheapskate move if I have ever seen one. Instead of accepting the costs of security, the global shipping industry has cooked up a scheme to get the UN to provide these guards? We are talking about the same UN that effectively stood by while places like Rwanda burned, or the same UN that sent forces into the Ivory Coast, that traded food for sex with starving people. Oh yeah, the UN is a great bargain and idea. There are so many examples of how pathetic the UN really is, and yet these shipping companies want to go this route? Amazing.

But what really kills me is who do you think will pay for such a service? Well the US  contributes 22% to the UN budget and is the top contributor of funding, so that gives you an idea of where a good chunk of that money will come from. And of course the cheapest most corrupt country will provide the troops, and that government will swindle most of the money used to pay for that force. The end result will be what you see with most of the UN’s deployments, and that is a under-funded crap military force lead by greedy and corrupt leaders.

How about this. Those companies that cannot afford PSC’s, yet can afford to buy a multi-million dollar vessel and transport millions of dollars worth of cargo, can own up to the idea that contracting with PSC’s is the cost of doing business. Just like banks hire their own guards, or shopping malls hire their own security–the shipping companies can do the same. And like-wise, you don’t see banks or shopping malls calling on the UN to provide guards? Pfffft.

Either way, I don’t see it happening. I also think that the cost of security should be a personal responsibility of these shipping companies and not on the UN. Then those costs can be passed onto their clients that choose to use those services. That is how this is done, and that is the way it should be. –Matt

 

Global Shipping Industry calls for UN armed force against Somali pirates
September 9, 2011
The global shipping industry (represented by the Round Table of international shipping associations) has called for the establishment of a United Nations force of armed military guards to tackle the piracy crisis in the Indian Ocean, which it says is spiralling out of control.
In a hard hitting letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO demand a “bold new strategy” to curb rising levels of piracy which have resulted in the Indian Ocean resembling “the wild west”.

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