BRITISH Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond is calling for closer collaboration among agencies to better protect shipping lanes and seafarers against terrorist strikes, weapons and drug smuggling and piracy.
Mr Hammond told reporters at the Chamber of Shipping in London, attended by Forces Minister Mark Francois, that this could be achieved by improving the knowledge of threats faced today.
It is suggested in the newly published National Strategy for Maritime Security that the different agencies including the Royal Navy, the Border Force and the National Crime Agency form a partnership to collaborate on facing these issues.
Mr Hammond paid tribute to the immense contribution made to past war efforts by merchant seafarers. To this day, he said, the security of UK sealanes is of immense national importance, reported Lloyd's List.
"The importance of shipping to the British way of life cannot be underestimated," he said.
The National Maritime Information Centre is to be based at its own permanent headquarters, and to have top-level guidance from a ministerial working group on maritime security that has a new governance structure and is chaired by the Chamber of Shipping.
"This strategy will make us more resilient and more robust," Mr Hammond added.
WORLD SHIPPING
19 May 2014 - 22:10
UK agencies to collaborate more closely on shipping threats
BRITISH Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond is calling for closer collaboration among agencies to better protect shipping lanes and seafarers against terrorist strikes, weapons and drug smuggling and piracy.
WORLD SHIPPING
19 May 2014 - 22:10
UK agencies to collaborate more closely on shipping threats
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