Strategic Insights No 9
Cornering a tiger: Sri Lanka's insurgency takes a turn
Karsten von Hoesslin
The Tamil Tigers (LTTE) are increasingly spreading the area of operations to the maritime domain and with the vigorous response by the Sri Lankan military this year has seen a surge in maritime-related combat and incidents. Senior Analyst Karsten von Hoesslin gives an update on the current developments.
Distinctions in the finer shadings of grey: The Four Circles Model
Hans Tino Hansen
Definitions of security related terms can be an academic exercise with very little relevance to the end-users in the shipping and offshore industries. However, some of these terms mould the way that both stakeholders within the maritime domain as well as the media understand the threats and subsequently the risks that originate in these. Piracy and terrorism are terms that are often used and may partly describe individual acts but seldom properly describes the threats. Protocol has developed an analytical model, the Four Circles Model, in order to map the different maritime threats and how these are related to each other.
Arms in the Malacca Strait
Capt. Rakish Suppiah
The Malacca Strait is always worthy of analysis. Captain Rakish Suppiah examines the significance in monitoring private security activities in the Strait and the controversial issue of arms possession while in transit. Legal ramifications and sovereignty issues coupled with regional and third party shortcomings such as possible corruption and poor analysis are also raised in order to provide a balanced perspective.
Out of Africa: Implications of human trafficking upon the sea lanes and destination countries
Karsten von Hoesslin
Human trafficking is on the rise globally and its increasing use of sea lanes is becoming a risk to the maritime supply chain as well as a security concern to destination countries. Senior Analyst Karsten von Hoesslin examines the issue using two case studies from both West and East Africa and reveals how the issue is unfolding into a crisis affecting the supply chain at a greater rate than ever before. Case studies, prevention mechanisms, and general patterns are examined.
Strategic Insights No 8
Piracy off the Somali coast and the hijacking of the Danica White
Hans Tino Hansen
The recent surge in piracy off the coast of Somalia is important to address and Hans Tino Hansen looks into the case of the highjacking of the Danish freighter Danica White 1 June 2007 with relation to possibilities and limitations of the international society in combating piracy. Furthermore, a differentiated approach to anti-piracy recommendations and war risk classification in the Somali waters are suggested within.
A medal for gallantry, an impending negligence lawsuit, and a boatload full of speculation: The elusive Seabourn Spirit affair
Karsten von Hoesslin
Somalia was also the place of perhaps the most widely discussed piracy attack for the last decade; the attack of the Seabourn Spirit. On the 16 May the Ship’s Security Officer Mr. Michael Groves received the British Queen’s Medal for Gallantry for his bravery during the attack, where he and the security officer Mr. Som Bandahar Gurung fought off the attacking pirates with a water hose and a LRAD against automatic rifles and incoming RPG7 grenades. Karsten von Hoesslin looks at the quite obscure and dangerous incident encouraging the community not to forget about the number of unanswered questions remaining.
Maritime oil infrastructure and tanker security
Rupert Herbert-Burns
Rupert Herbert-Burns provides a comprehensive analysis on the security of export/import oil infrastructure and crude and product tanker transportation in a wider oil trading context. This analysis is important also to other sectors including the offshore sector since it presents an overview of the threats in different regions of the world. Furthermore, it provides more relevant policy recommendations as well.
The terrorist threat to container shipping
Peter Chalk
Dr. Peter Chalk of RAND analyses the current terrorist threats to container shipping. This is an area dominated by speculation and creative ideas on threats, but Dr. Chalk presents facts and international counter measures in a more precise manner accompanied by policy recommendations, relevant for container companies as well as other sectors.
Strategic Insights No 7
Is the American maritime security dream a supply chain nightmare?
Karsten von Hoesslin
In this article, Senior Analyst Karsten von Hoesslin looks at US maritime security programmes and how they are affecting supply chain security.
Philippines insecurity: Keeping South East Asia on its toes
Karsten von Hoesslin
This article reviews the many threats in the Philippines to shipping. The article both features analysis of the organised crime syndicates as well as the insurgency and often-labelled terrorist groups, which have a tendency to overlap. It provides evidence that the peace process in the south is vital for security.
Supply chain security: Are new requirements distorting the level playing field?
Peter Mackenbach
Peter Mackenbach, Senior Principal Surveyor at DNV, gives an overview of supply chain security and the programmes and initiatives launched by international bodies. It looks into how it affects trade and the supply chain and how a level playing field may be implemented.
The ISPS code and ship security
Bob Reeve
Bob Reeve, Director, Aegir Security, evaluates the ISPS code and presents ways on how to improve the code and make it better adapted to the threats and security risks of the shipping industry.
Strategic Insights No 6
The rising sun over the sea lanes: Japan's multilateralism in South East Asia
Karsten von Hoesslin
Senior Analyst Karsten von Hoesslin focuses on Japan’s increasing role regarding the securing of the sea lanes in South East Asia. The article examines how Japan’s multilateralism encourages other countries to work in a co-ordinated effort to improve safety and security at sea. However, it also addresses that Japan at the same time is looking after its own interests.
Iran and Hezbollah maritime capabilities and the stand-off with the USA
Hans Tino Hansen
The article by Hans Tino Hansen analyses the threats against primarily civilian shipping from Iran and its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah. Due to the expiration of the deadline 21 February for stopping the production of enriched uranium, as defined by the UN, it is relevant to examine the capabilities and intention of the Iranian regime.
Nigeria: Where insurgents and kidnappers roam free
Atle Mesoy
In the context of Nigerian elections and because of the growing number of violent incidents in the Niger Delta, Atle Mesoy analyses the current situation and the potential implications for the future.
Threat assessment management: Production and review of ship security assessments
Hans Tino Hansen
This article covers how to produce threat assessments for the Ship Security Assessment in the ISPS code. Hans Tino Hansen describes how a civilian shipping or offshore company can introduce methodology from the intelligence world in order to optimise their intelligence gathering and analysis.