The maritime security contractor Maritime Asset Security Training, MAST has been granted associate membership to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), the maritime industry body.
BIMCO as an international shipping association has more than 2200 members. BIMCO’s core objective is to facilitate commercial operations by developing standard contracts and clauses, providing quality information, advice and education.
MAST says that its membership follows the company’s recent adoption of the International Code of Conduct Association standards (ICoCA), showing its commitment to complying with fundamental human rights and humanitarian law principles.
Phil Cable, CEO of MAST, said: “MAST’s membership in BIMCO recognises our position as one of the pioneers in the maritime security industry. Having been at the heart of the development of legal and operational standards in the private maritime security sector, MAST shares BIMCO’s dedication to fair business practices and effective regulatory instruments.
“At a time of fierce competition in the maritime security sector, which is compelling many of our competitors to relax their standards, MAST’s membership reaffirms our position as a leading player in maritime security. By seizing the advantages of membership, we hope to develop our expertise and standing in the industry even further.”
Meanwhile organisations from the shipping and oil industry announced that the size of the ‘High Risk Area’ for piracy in the Indian Ocean has been reduced and issued new advice to merchant ship operators. This follows the containment of pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean. A group of shipping and oil industry organisations (BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Intercargo, INTERTANKO and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) stressed that a serious threat remains and that correct reporting and vigilance remains crucial.
The reduction of the High Risk Area takes full account of recent shipping industry experience, and follows extensive consultation with governments through the diplomatic Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, and military naval forces, including NATO, Combined Maritime Forces and EU NAVFOR, which continue to provide vital protection to shipping.
The new industry advice, which takes effect from December 1, changes that in the latest edition of Best Management Practices for Protection against Somali Based Piracy (BMP 4), which is jointly produced by the industry group.
