The updated BMP Maritime Security (BMP MS) guidance now features a dedicated section on managing incidents involving activist groups boarding ships and offshore installations. This revision reflects a growing need for the maritime industry to prepare for organized protest activities at sea, which have become more frequent.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this update underscores the importance of understanding potential delays or disruptions if vessels are targeted by activists. While direct cargo loss might be rare, prolonged boarding incidents can lead to significant schedule deviations, impacting lead times and potentially incurring demurrage or detention charges. Forwarders should consider these risks when planning routes and communicating with shippers, particularly for sensitive or high-profile cargoes. Enhanced security measures on vessels might also indirectly affect operational costs.
The new guidance aims to equip vessel operators and crews with protocols to manage such situations, ensuring the safety of personnel and the security of the vessel, while navigating the complexities of engaging with activist groups.
