Neptune Maritime Security has successfully delivered comprehensive crisis management training to bolster defences at major ports in Asia, the Middle East and Africa (AMEA) amid increasing instability in the region.
An expert team from the company’s Dubai head office and operational support centre recently performed exacting risk assessments before carrying out specialist training for security officers and senior personnel.
The comprehensive risk management solutions featured such scenarios as terror attacks and suicide bombers, kidnap, civil unrest and uprisings as well routine health and safety checks.
They were the latest in a series of emergency response services delivered by Neptune in the AMEA region as the expanding company continues to drive up standards in the maritime security sector and diversify its operational range.
Business development manager Jeremy Johnson said: “Major port operators are becoming increasingly aware of potential risks at their facilities worldwide.
“Companies must not only meet International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code standards and meet routine health and safety requirements but also ensure their emergency response plans are updated.
“We have a successful track record of providing specialist security and risk management solutions in ports and shore-side industrial and petro-chemical facilities around the globe, as well as our background as a trusted and professional PMSC in vessel protection.
“Using our experience in creating emergency response plans, a thorough understanding of the ISPS Code and health and safety planning, we have been able to provide clients with the necessary skills to enhance their businesses in hazardous countries while ensuring the safety of staff and operations and reducing potential liabilities.”
He added: “Our latest specialist solution was for a port operating in a potentially hazardous area against a background of increasing regional instability.
“We delivered a bespoke risk assessment and training programme to give the client greater capabilities and the confidence to focus on operations rather than worry about potential dangers.
“Mitigation is always the safest plan of action whether it is for shipping, ports, shoreside and offshore facilities, or cruise terminals.”
Neptune, with offices in the UK, Dubai, Tokyo and Singapore, initially carried out a bespoke risk assessment at the port, which has not been named for security reasons.
It covered such factors as staff, office facilities within the port and terminal and the company’s vessels.
A risk register was drawn up with possible impact and company liabilities from a wide range of potential factors, including economical, operational and environmental incidents as well as potential disruption caused by local community action which could affect production.
The client then selected training options for its senior management team and security officers in a variety of areas.
They included potentially troublesome local officials, behavioural and scenario training which also factored in the potential for civil uprising and possible terrorist action, along with health and safety training. Exercises were carried out in the classroom and in ‘real world’ situations.
There are more than 12,000 ports worldwide, according to IHS’s Sea-web. Some 90% of world trade is carried by the shipping industry, according to the International Chamber of Shipping.
Incidents at ports over recent years have included al Qaeda attacks in Yemen, including a LNG export facility.
Further back in October 2000, some 17 crew were killed when suicide bombers in a motorboat attacked the USS Cole while she refuelling at a port in Aden.
The recent crisis management training by Neptune comes hot on the heels of the company becoming one of a small number of accredited PMSCs to achieve associate membership of BIMCO, one of the world’s largest shipping associations, after achieving the ISO (PAS) 28007 accreditation.
Neptune also provides specialist services for the cruise industry, superyachts, ports and the offshore energy sector.
Contact Neptune Maritime Security on 01202 743357 and info@neptune-ms.com for more details.
