A Guide to Maritime Security

The maritime industry keeps the world running. With oceans covering the majority of our planet, global commerce relies heavily on shipping channels to move goods and resources to where they are needed most. Because shipping channels are crucial to maintaining the global economy, keeping ships secure and protected is imperative.

Here at VIRSEC, we offer a wide selection of online maritime training, which allows you to learn everything you need to know about why maritime security is important and how you can gain the necessary skills to make it a career.

What Is Maritime Security?

Maritime security takes many different forms, but at its core, it is the strategies and measures implemented to safeguard vessels, infrastructure, and ports from potential threats. When at sea, maritime security is tasked with protecting their vessels both internally and externally from threats such as piracy, robbery, terrorism, and any illegal trafficking of goods or people. 

The threats that the maritime industry faces are ever-evolving, meaning the role of maritime security is also evolving to keep up with the threats. One of the largest threats to vessels is no longer physical with the advent of cyber security. Criminals are always finding new methods for committing cyberattacks. At VIRSEC, you can find multiple maritime cybersecurity security awareness courses with specific vessel cyber security courses for those working at sea.

​​With the maritime sector being so large, every precaution must ensure that any malicious intent is stopped at the source. A common misconception is that maritime security is solely the responsibility of ship security officers, but in fact, the responsibility falls on the entire crew. 

Having your crew trained in maritime security awareness allows the ship to work as a team. VIRSEC offers a wide selection of STCW training, which is perfect for training your staff in a wide range of different security duties.   

STCW Maritime Security Training at VIRSEC

The STCW training on offer at VIRSEC teaches you everything you need to know about working at sea and covers all the essential areas, including STCW Security Awareness, the STCW Designated Security Duties course, and more.

The Ship Security Officer course is designed to help crew members take a step towards becoming security officers. The course covers all aspects of the role and provides an interactive learning experience before a final exam at the end of the course. 

Security is needed on more vessels than just cargo ships. Yacht security training is perfect for learning all you need to know about working on a yacht or superyacht and cruise ship security training allows you to protect not only your crew but also the passengers onboard. 

Why Maritime Security Is Important

The importance of maritime security cannot be understated. Keeping the seas safe ensures global stability, including the economic health of businesses and countries and can also be paramount for keeping safety as a primary concern.  

Protecting Global Trade

Over 80% of global trade is carried out by sea, so ensuring the supply lines remain safe and free from threats is crucial to keeping the flow of goods moving worldwide and keeping economies stable. Maritime security keeps the shipping lanes free from any illegal activity that could either disrupt trade or threaten the vessel itself.

Keeping the Environment Safe

Maritime security plays an important role in creating collaboration between countries and ensuring the conservation and protection of ecosystems, especially in the offshore sector, where renewable energy sites may be being built nearby.

Safeguarding People

People working in maritime security strive to ensure that everybody aboard their assigned vessel, port, or workplace is safe. On cruise ships, this will include passengers as well as crew members. Keeping people safe is the number one priority of maritime security, keeping them safe against piracy and other threats. 

Maritime Training Courses at VIRSEC

At VIRSEC, you can find a host of maritime training courses that are perfect for learning all you need to know about maritime security. These helpful courses include Non-Verbal Communication, USCG Crowd Management, and even specific courses for Lithium-ion Battery Safety Training for Superyachts, and the Lithium-ion Battery Safety on Ships. 

Every vessel at sea must have a safety management committee. At VIRSEC, you can undergo Vessel Safety Management Committee training to ensure that safe working practices are carried out on each vessel. There are also Risk Assessment courses for the ship’s crew so that they understand the risks within their workplace or vessel.  

What Are Maritime Security Threats?

Seafaring vessels face many threats. Whether you are stationed on a superyacht or a cargo ship, there are ever-present dangers that could be a major threat to your vessel’s safety. Tracking every ship at sea is impossible, meaning whether you’re docked at port or in the middle of the ocean, anyone working in maritime security must always be alert and ready to face threats.

Maritime Piracy

One of the largest threats at sea is that of pirates, who may look to target your vessel for financial or political gain. Year after year, the number of attacks on cargo ships rises, meaning it is more important than ever for crew members, including senior members of the crew, to be informed of how pirates attack and how you can spot the signs and raise the alarm. 

Trespassing

Another issue faced all too commonly is trespassing on vessels. This can occur for several reasons, including immigration, smuggling goods, or looking to commit acts of terrorism while at sea. Security officers play a crucial role in keeping the vessel free from any individuals who should not be on board. 

Threats of Terrorism

Terrorist agencies are a massive threat to maritime security; they seek to exploit commonly travelled maritime routes for smuggling goods, contraband, and people without detection. To counteract the ever-present threat of terrorism, multinational task forces share intelligence and run patrols to identify and counter the threat. 

Illegal Trade

As global trade becomes more and more dependent on seafaring vessels, criminals are looking to take advantage of the increase in traffic to smuggle drugs, arms, and humans across oceans illegally. Keeping your vessel free from smugglers means tightening security measures and ensuring there is constant collaboration internationally. 

Maritime Port Sector Training

Maritime training doesn’t just apply to vessels at sea. Ports are under constant threat of foul play, be it people attempting to gain access to ships at ports or other threats to cyber security. With Maritime Port Security Training, personnel can undergo Port Security Training and learn what their role entails to keep port workers, and members of vessels docked safe.  

Book Your Maritime Training at VIRSEC

At VIRSEC, you can find all the maritime training you need in one place. Whether you are looking to get the training required for a security position or you want your crew to be trained and ready for whatever the seas throw at them, our courses are designed for just that. If you have any questions about our maritime training courses or you would like to know more about why maritime security is important, you can contact us or consult our News Page, which is full of important information for all aspects of maritime security.