6.

MARITIME SECURITY
Background – Security threats to shipping affect Goal – In order for the Maritime Transportation System
the predictability of trade flows. The damaging to be sustainable, seafarers, ships and shipping lanes
consequences of security-related incidents could affect must be protected by the communities that rely on them
the poorest people in particular, in terms of food security, and benefit from sea trade. Protection measures must
while also threatening the energy security of the world. respond to the threats posed to sea trade and to the
The underlying causes of piracy and armed robbery ships and the seafarers in its service. Due account must
are complex and often rooted in the political, economic also be taken of the increased cost of providing security
and social conditions of coastal States, giving rise to which erodes the sustainability of shipping. The ISPS
lawlessness and criminal acts on land, as well as at Code is required to be implemented and enforced not
sea - particularly so in the case of piracy off the coast of only on board all ships, but also in all ports engaged in
Somalia. These threats, as well as other security threats international maritime transport.
(such as terrorism), will continue to exist. As world trade
expands, extending to new sea routes and new ports
and leading to more congested shipping traffic in certain
regions, new security challenges will present themselves.
The Maritime Transportation System is subject to a wide
array of security threats, ranging from piracy and armed
robbery against ships, to threats from global terrorism
and the unlawful trade in weapons, smuggling, trafficking
in narcotics and in persons, and illegal or unreported
fishing.

IMO’s Partners – Governments and multilateral

organizations responsible for maritime affairs, naval and
coastguard forces, customs and law enforcement; other
authorities concerned with the protection and security
of sea lanes used for international trade; the shipping
industry; port and maritime authorities; including all
actors with responsibilities for the implementation and
enforcement of security requirements under the ISPS
Code.

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