Shipmaster's Security Manual 2022

Detailed overview

The BIMCO Shipmaster’s Security Manual contains guidance to shipowners, Masters and crew on the most pertinent security challenges facing the maritime industry today.

Totalling seven chapters, the manual covers the following topics:

*NEW for 2022* Armed conflict and war, which is the result of conflicts between different actors including state- as well as non-state actors. In recent years the state of conflict between Iran/Iranian proxies and US/UK/Israeli interests, and recently the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has seen more and more cases where weapons of war has been directed against commercial ships.

Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, off Somalia, and in Southeast Asia, with a focus on Gulf of Guinea. Niger delta pirates remain the primary piracy threat in the world. BIMCO has been in the forefront to help the maritime industry mitigate the risks. In early 2022, BIMCO released a standard contract for the employment of Security Escort Vessels (SEV-GUARDCON). In Gulf of Guinea the use of SEV has become more and more the norm but their use entails commercial risks which should be managed by using the SEV-GUARDCON, a copy of which is included in this edition of the manual.

Cyber security, especially focussing on onboard risk management and the interface with shore. While the industry has not yet seen cyber security incidents with major safety implications the cyber threats are continually developing, and the increased sophistication of criminals require cyber risk management to be steadily updated.

Drug smuggling is increasing threat to shipowners and crew. Smugglers typically in South- and Central America abuse the ships as “mules” by concealing drugs on board or even welding containers to the underwater hull. In cases where drugs are found on board some port States react forcefully and detain ships and crew for prolonged periods despite lack of evidence to suggest shipowner or crew involvement.

The ISPS Code, which is the cornerstone document for managing risks from terrorists against ships and port facilities and furthermore subject to several audits and compliance checks.

Stowaways, continue to remain a big risk to shipping operations because of the administrative- and practical burden and not least cost associated with resolving stowaway cases. In some cases, stowaways even represent a security threat to the crew on board.

Mass mixed migration by sea, which continues to disrupt the operation of ships and in some cases develop into a humanitarian crisis on board with owners and crew caught in a limbo between state migration politics of coastal and flag states.

Introduction
Piracy
Introduction
ANNEX 1A: MSC.1/Circ.1334 (23 June 2009) Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships – Guidance to shipowners and ship operators, shipmasters and crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships
ANNEX 1B: BMP WA: Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security off the Coast of West Africa including the Gulf of Guinea
ANNEX 1C: SEV-GUARDCON
ANNEX 1D: BMP5: Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea
ANNEX 1E: Regional Guide to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia
ANNEX 1F: MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.2 (25 May 2012) Revised Interim Guidance to Shipowners, Ship Operators and Shipmasters on the Use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel On Board Ships in the High Risk Area
ANNEX 1G: MSC.1/Circ.1443 (25 May 2012) Interim Guidance to Private Maritime Security Companies Providing Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel On Board Ships in the High Risk Area
ANNEX 1H: Guardcon and Guidance on Rules for the Use of Force (RUF) by Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) in Defence of a Merchant Vessel (MV)
ANNEX 1I: The 100 Series Rules, An International Model Set of Maritime Rules for the Use of Force (RUF)
ANNEX 1J: Guidance relating to the Construction and Use of Citadels in Waters Affected by Somalia Piracy (July 2011)
ANNEX 1K: Good Practice Guide for Shipping Companies and Manning Agents – Humanitarian support of seafarers and their families in cases of armed robbery and piracy attack (Version 2, 2016)
ANNEX 1L: IMB Piracy & Armed Robbery Attack Report
Cyber Security
Introduction
ANNEX 2A: The Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships v4 (December 2020)
ANNEX 2B: Cyber Security Onboard Ships poster
Smuggling
Introduction
ANNEX 3A: Annex to IMO Resolution FAL.9(34) Revised guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals on ships engaged in international maritime traffic
ANNEX 3B: BIMCO U.S. Anti-Drug Abuse Act 1986 Clause for Time Charter Parties 2013
SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code
Introduction
ANNEX 4A: IMO Resolution MSC.159(78) Interim Guidance on Control and Compliance Measures to Enhance Maritime Security
ANNEX 4B: BIMCO ISPS/MTSA Clause for Time Charter Parties 2005
Stowaways
Introduction
ANNEX 5A: IMO Resolution A.871(20) Guidelines on the Allocation of Responsibilities to Seek the Successful Resolution of Stowaway Cases
ANNEX 5B: BIMCO Stowaways Clause for Time Charter Parties 2009
Mass Mixed Migration by Sea
Introduction
ANNEX 6A: Guidelines on migrant rescue at sea
ANNEX 6B: UNHCR pamphlet “Rescue at sea – A guide to principles and practice as applied to migrants and refugees”
Armed Conflict and War
Introduction
ANNEX 7A: List of NAVAREA coordinations
ANNEX 7B: List of the most active Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) centres
ANNEX 7C: ATP-02.1 Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) – Guide to Owners, Operators, Masters and Officers (Edition A Version 1, September 2014)

BIMCO is the world’s largest direct-membership organisation for shipowners, charterers, shipbrokers and agents. In total, around 60% of the world’s merchant fleet is a BIMCO member, measured by tonnage (weight of the unloaded ships).

The organisation has NGO status and is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, with offices in Athens, Singapore and Shanghai.

With around 1900 member companies across 120 countries – from the largest shipowners in the world to small local port agents and law firms, BIMCO represents a wide range of maritime companies and organisations.

BIMCO’s goal is to secure a level playing field for the global shipping industry. BIMCO therefore works to promote and secure global standards and regulations for the maritime sector. The organisation’s century long effort into creating standard contracts and clauses is an expression of that aim.