Targeted Maritime Security Regulations Across 4 Pillars

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This article by Pole Star Global delves into the fundamentals of maritime security and maritime security regulations, exploring the evolution of national and international standards that uphold high standards at sea.

Maritime security is a comprehensive field encompassing four key pillars: ensuring safety at sea, preventing crime, safeguarding borders, and protecting the marine environment.

For each pillar, this article provides key insights and highlights essential regulations, offering a concise overview of the core principles of maritime security.

Maritime Security Fundamentals: What is Maritime Security?

Maritime security is crucial for safeguarding oceans, coasts, and ports from threats that could disrupt trade and global stability. It ensures the safety of all activities at sea, including border defence, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the prevention of environmental crimes.

Numerous challenges to maritime security exist, including piracy, terrorism, illegal fishing, smuggling, human trafficking, and environmental offences. Addressing these threats requires collaboration and vigilance from national and international entities, such as military forces, coast guards, governments, and private security firms. These groups work together to keep shipping lanes operational, ensure the safe movement of goods and people, and enforce laws that protect economic and environmental well-being. Their efforts include:

  • Advanced tracking systems to monitor vessels in real-time and detect suspicious activities.
  • Rapid-response mechanisms to address issues promptly.
  • Comprehensive regulations to maintain a secure and lawful maritime domain.

A Brief History: The Changing Landscape of Maritime Security

The maritime security agenda is relatively new and has undergone significant changes in focus and challenges over the years.

In the early 2000s, maritime security emerged alongside the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This first wave of maritime security centred around combating terrorism on the oceans. However, by the late 2000s and 2010s, piracy, particularly by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and the Western Indian Ocean, became a major issue. A global coalition worked together to reduce piracy, marking the second phase of maritime security.

Over time, it became clear that maritime security extended beyond piracy to include issues such as illegal migration, smuggling, and overfishing, signifying the third wave of maritime security.

Today’s fourth wave highlights the need for a global solution, showing that strong security in just a few countries isn’t enough. This has led to international programmes and strict regulations to help countries combat maritime crime. The aim has been to foster cooperation between countries to address new and ongoing threats in maritime security.

Where is Maritime Security Today? Significant Challenges Ahead

Issues such as interstate conflict, terrorism, piracy, smuggling, and environmental crime persist as significant threats to maritime security. These concerns can be grouped into four pillars, as discussed later in this article.

Addressing security threats within each pillar involves navigating two distinct obstacles, as highlighted by Prof. Christian Bueger in Understanding Maritime Security. Namely, the two central challenges that stand out today are:

  • Challenge #1: Coordinating efforts among the many groups responsible for maritime security.
  • Challenge #2: Dealing with ambiguous actions that make it difficult to identify illegal activities.

Rising to challenge #1 means uniting diverse groups, such as fishery agencies, coast guards, navies, environmental regulators, shipping companies, and the oil and gas industry, that typically operate independently. Improving communication and fostering collaboration is essential to prevent fragmented efforts.

Challenge #2 refers to the breakdown of traditional maritime rules. This has led to “grey zones” in both warfare and maritime law.

  • “Grey zone warfare” refers to actions that aren’t acts of war but are still unacceptable. An example is the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline attack, where it was unclear whether a country or terrorists were responsible.
  • “Grey zones” are also an issue within maritime law. In this context, grey zone activities blur the line between legality and illegality. Vessels can operate within these ambiguous areas of the law, taking advantage of weak regulations and gaps in enforcement.

Upholding national and international regulations is crucial for addressing these challenges. These regulations establish a standard for all stakeholders, creating a unified goal for coordinated efforts. They also provide a clear benchmark to eliminate grey zone areas. In conjunction with these regulations, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) also plays a vital role.

To improve collaboration among stakeholders (Challenge #1), choose an MDA software solution that enables information sharing (transferring data across locations) and information fusion (integrating data from multiple agencies into a single platform). This ensures consistent, reliable information for all stakeholders, making threat detection easier while also facilitating coordinated responses for regulatory compliance.

For tackling “grey zone” areas (Challenge #2), select MDA software that enables the monitoring and analysis of maritime activities to detect threats and unusual behavior. MDA systems can flag bad actors exploiting regulatory loopholes for ongoing surveillance. By tracking vessels, MDA software can provide the unmatched transparency needed to uphold the standards set by national and international regulators.

To learn more about MDA, read: Maritime Risk From All Angles: Monitoring a Vessel with MDA

It’s also worth mentioning that efforts need to support countries with weaker maritime security. Capacity-building programmes play a crucial role by offering training and resources to enhance these countries’ capability to safeguard their waters and marine environments.

Who Establishes Maritime Security Regulations?

Maritime security levels are set by each country’s government, typically through a national authority or agency responsible for security and transportation.

For example, if you live in or travel through countries that are members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), such as the US, the UK, or the EU, you will be familiar with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. This code is an international standard created by the IMO, which is part of the United Nations. The ISPS Code helps governments, port authorities, and shipping companies collaborate to identify and address security risks. Each country is responsible for adhering to these rules and adjusting security levels based on new threats or emergencies.

There are three main security levels:

  • Security Level 1 (Normal): This is the baseline level, involving standard security measures for routine operations.
  • Security Level 2 (Heightened): Activated when there is an increased risk of a security incident, requiring enhanced vigilance and measures.
  • Security Level 3 (Exceptional): The highest level, implemented when a security threat is imminent, demands maximum protection and response readiness.

Countries adjust these levels based on new threats or information about potential dangers, ensuring maritime security remains robust and responsive.

The 4 Pillars of Maritime Security

This article by Pole Star Global explores maritime security through four key areas:

  • Ensuring Maritime Safety: Prioritising safety on the water is essential. This includes preventing accidents, managing risks, and responding to emergencies such as shipwrecks or collisions. The overarching goal is to protect the well-being of ships, crews, and passengers.
  • Combating Maritime Crime: Illegal activities at sea – such as piracy, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and unlawful fishing or trade – pose significant threats. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts with global law enforcement, utilising tools like ship tracking and surveillance to maintain safety and security on the waters.
  • Securing Maritime Borders: Protecting a nation’s maritime boundaries is vital. This involves preventing unauthorised access, addressing potential threats, and managing migration and trade routes that cross territorial waters.
  • Preserving the Maritime Environment: Preventing oil spills, pollution, and illegal dumping is critical for conserving marine ecosystems and resources for future generations. Efforts also include monitoring and reducing shipping emissions. Adhering to environmental regulations helps ensure the protection of the seas and the diverse life they sustain.

The Four Pillars of Maritime Security

Further information for each pillar is provided alongside the regulatory requirements and practical solutions to strengthen security in each area. Whether you work in shipping, law enforcement, or environmental protection, this guide equips you with the core knowledge needed to understand and enhance maritime security.

Pillar #1: Maritime Safety

In 2023, there were 2,821 reported safety incidents in the maritime industry, according to Allianz Commercial. Machinery damage or failure topped the list, with 1,506 reported instances. Fire safety is another major concern, with fires onboard ships causing 55 losses over the past three years. Last year alone saw 205 fire-related emergencies – the highest in a decade.

But these aren’t the only significant safety challenges at sea. A recent survey by P&I Loss Prevention, Energy Majors, and Chambers of Shipping revealed the top maritime safety concerns that you should be aware of:

  • Personnel falling overboard during transfers;
  • Difficulties with mooring;
  • Risks associated with lithium-ion batteries;
  • Groundings due to poor passage planning;
  • Loss of propulsion, power, or steering;
  • Vehicle deck safety;
  • Hazards in enclosed spaces;
  • Misdeclared cargo in containers;

Other issues of note include:

  • Enclosed Spaces: There’s a significant and persistent crisis involving deaths from enclosed space incidents on ships. From 1999 to August 2024, bulk carriers were most affected, accounting for 42% of these incidents, followed by tankers at 23%.
  • Pilot Safety: Unsafe access when boarding or disembarking vessels is a major concern, with inadequate access procedures resulting in 10 pilot fatalities since early 2023.

Key Regulatory Requirements to Uphold Maritime Safety

International Conventions, Regulations, and Laws:

  1. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) (1974)
    • Purpose: SOLAS sets basic safety rules for ship design, equipment, and operations to protect lives at sea.
    • Main Rules: SOLAS covers ship design, fire safety, lifeboats, radio communication, and the management of safety on board.
    • Background: SOLAS was introduced after the Titanic disaster and has been updated over time – in 1929, 1948, 1960, and most recently in 1974.
    • Additional Security Rules: After the 9/11 attacks, SOLAS added stricter security rules in 2004, including Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) Code. SOLAS also includes the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which ensures shipowners have the right systems in place to maintain safety.
  2. International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) (1979)
    • Purpose: The SAR Convention ensures that search and rescue teams are always prepared to assist in the event of an emergency at sea.
    • Main Rules: SAR is a global system for countries to coordinate and cooperate on search and rescue efforts.
  3. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) (1978)
    • Purpose: STCW sets minimum qualification standards for crew members, including captains, officers, and everyone on board merchant ships and large yachts.
    • Main Rules: STCW makes sure maritime employees receive the proper training and certification, to improve their skills and overall safety.
  4. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) (1972)

    • Purpose: COLREGs sets the “rules of the road” for ships to prevent accidents at sea.
    • Main Rules: COLREG outlines navigation rules, such as lights, signals, and right-of-way, to help prevent collisions and ensure safe sailing.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Regulations:

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations and plays a key role in setting safety regulations for ships. Through various agreements and codes, the IMO ensures that vessels adhere to strict standards for safety.

One of the IMO’s primary responsibilities is to develop and update the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention, as mentioned above.

Additionally, the IMO oversees the SUA Convention (Suppression of Unlawful Acts). This was in response to rising safety concerns in the 1980s, due to incidents like hijackings and sabotage — including the high-profile hijacking of the Achille Lauro cruise ship in 1985. In 1988, the SUA Convention was introduced to combat crimes such as hijacking, violence, and the placing of dangerous devices on ships.

In 2005, the IMO updated the SUA Convention with a new protocol to address an even broader range of maritime crimes. The updated Article 2bis ensured that the IMO’s regulations stayed ahead of emerging and evolving threats.

National Laws:

  • European Union: Directive 2009/18/EC sets out rules for investigating accidents in the shipping industry across the EU, ensuring thorough inquiries to enhance safety standards.
  • Other Countries: Many nations have their own maritime safety laws, generally based on international standards set by the IMO. These laws work in harmony to protect ships and crews globally.
Emergency Response Procedures
  • Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS): Part of SOLAS, GMDSS is a global system designed to increase the likelihood of successful rescues during emergencies at sea. It provides essential safety guidelines and communication tools to aid in distress situations.

Action: Upholding Maritime Safety (Operations and Tactics)

  1. Keep Ships Secure with Regular Inspections:To ensure vessels remain safe and compliant with regulations, regular inspections are essential. If any issues are identified that fail to meet security standards, the Vessel Security Officer (VSO) must take immediate action to resolve them.
  2. Oversee Cargo Handling with Care: Whether loading or unloading, VSOs play a crucial role in adhering to strict safety protocols. This includes thoroughly inspecting storage areas and fuel tanks to ensure everything is secure.
  3. Drive Security Improvements: If updates to the vessel’s security plan are needed, it is the VSO’s responsibility to propose changes to the company’s security officer(s), ensuring swift action is taken.
  4. Foster a Culture of Security Awareness: The VSO must remain vigilant, always on the lookout for any suspicious activity, while also encouraging the crew to do the same. Creating a culture where security risks are recognised, and everyone feels empowered to report concerns is essential.
  5. Lead Security Training Programmes: The VSO must ensure that all crew members are well-trained in both routine and emergency security procedures, preparing them for any situation that might arise.
  6. Document and Report Security Incidents: Whenever something unusual occurs, the VSO is responsible for documenting the incident and reporting it to senior security officers and the company’s security team.
  7. Ensure Crew Screening: The VSO must conduct thorough background checks on crew members to verify their credentials, ensuring only qualified individuals are allowed on board.
  8. Maintain Security Equipment: Regular testing, maintenance, and monitoring of security equipment is essential. The VSO must ensure everything is functioning properly to protect the vessel at all times.
  9. Supervise and Support the Crew: The VSO must ensure the crew adheres to the vessel’s security plan and safety protocols, providing guidance and support when needed.
  10. Conduct Comprehensive Ship Audits: Regular audits ensure that the vessel has the necessary certifications and a clean safety record. Tools like Pole Star Global’s PurpleTRAC software make this process more efficient and provide detailed insights into a vessel’s security status. Illustrating this, the following case study demonstrates how you can carry out these audits effectively using PurpleTRAC.

Case Study: Assessing the Safety Structure of the DALI

Maritime Safety DALI Safety Metrics

At approximately 01:28 on Tuesday, 27th March, the Singapore-flagged vessel DALI collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River. The incident raised immediate concerns about the ship’s structural integrity, prompting a thorough investigation using Pole Star Global’s powerful PurpleTRAC solution.

A detailed search of the DALI on PurpleTRAC revealed that, at the time of the collision, the ship held valid certifications confirming both its structural soundness and the proper functioning of its equipment.

Further checks on the DALI’s safety credentials — including its registered owner, flag, management, and Protection and Indemnity Club — were conducted through the Pole Star platform, none of which raised any red flags.

This investigation suggests that the DALI met all safety requirements, finding no apparent safety breaches on the vessel that could explain the incident.

For a deeper dive into the DALI incident and the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, read: The Baltimore Key Bridge Collapse: New Insigts on Cause + Impact.

To learn more about how to uphold strict safety standards at sea in today’s climate, read the following articles:

PurpleTRAC can also be used to detect compliance issues or suspicious activities, leading seamlessly into the next section of this article: preventing maritime crime.

Pillar #2: Maritime Crime

Maritime security threats categorised as maritime crimes include:

  • Theft: Goods and resources can be stolen during transport, whether at ports or on the open sea. Stay vigilant both at the dock and on the vessel to safeguard valuable and sensitive cargo.
  • Trespassing: Unauthorised access to vessels in port can result in significant security breaches. Ensure only authorised personnel are permitted to board the ship. This will help prevent tampering with vital equipment, such as cargo rigging or other critical systems.
  • Terrorist Threats: With technological advancements and increased global shipping, terrorist groups may exploit shipping routes to transport dangerous materials, weapons, or even people. Be prepared to mitigate these risks.
  • Illegal Maritime Trade: The illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people remains a major security challenge. With sanctions on Russia and the illicit sale of Russian oil exceeding the G7’s price cap, staying informed and proactive is vital.
  • Piracy: Modern pirates target large vessels carrying valuable goods. These criminals are highly organised and use advanced technologies for coordination. Stay updated on piracy risks to ensure preparedness.
  • Human Trafficking: Illegal migration and human trafficking remain significant issues in maritime transport. Identifying and preventing these crimes is crucial for maintaining security and compliance.

Key Regulatory Requirements to Prevent Maritime Crime

Maritime crime poses a serious and escalating threat to global trade, human lives, and the environment. In response, nations have developed a range of laws, frameworks, and regulations to safeguard the seas. Here is an overview of some key international and regional initiatives to combat maritime crime:

International Treaties and Agreements:

  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Initiatives:
    • UNODC offers critical legal and technical assistance to countries facing maritime crime challenges, such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and smuggling.
  • Container Control Programme (CCP):
    • The CCP programme works to reduce the risk of cargo being used for illegal activities, including trafficking and smuggling, by promoting better security practices in ports worldwide.
  • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
    • Overview: Founded in 1982, UNCLOS is a comprehensive framework that outlines the rights and duties of nations regarding the use of the world’s oceans. It covers areas such as territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and the high seas.
    • Relevance to Maritime Crime: UNCLOS plays a vital role in addressing maritime crimes such as piracy, outlining how nations must collaborate to combat such activities on the high seas. For instance, Article 100 obliges countries to cooperate in the fight against piracy, fostering global efforts to enhance maritime security.
  • International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code:
    • The ISPS Code establishes stringent security protocols for ships and port facilities, designed to protect against terrorism and other criminal activities that pose a threat to maritime safety.
  • International Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA Convention):
    • The SUA Convention focuses on preventing various maritime crimes, such as hijacking and violence against ships. Key updates to this convention include: Article 3bis (2005) (to expand the definition of unlawful maritime acts); Article 8bis ( to establish procedures for handling maritime crime suspects), and Articles 11bis and 11ter (to establish extradition and cooperation rules among countries, clarifying that these crimes are not considered political offences).
  • World Custom Organization
    • The WCO’s SAFE Framework of Standards improves global trade security by fostering collaboration between customs agencies and businesses to combat illicit activities.
  • Combined Maritime Forces (CMF):
    • A multinational naval alliance, CMF, combats illegal activities such as piracy and terrorism in international waters.
  • INTERPOL:
    • INTERPOL partners with international law enforcement to investigate and disrupt maritime crimes that span across borders.

The IMO continues to refine regulatory mandates and security guidelines to protect seafarers and establish effective systems for reporting maritime criminal activities.

Regional Frameworks:

  • Djibouti Code of Conduct (2009):
    • Focused on combating piracy and armed robbery in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. The Djibouti Code of Conduct framework encourages cooperation among nations to fight maritime crime.
  • Yaoundé Code of Conduct (2013):
    • The Yaoundé Code of Conduct agreement, signed by countries in West and Central Africa, aims to combat piracy, armed robbery, and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
  • ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia):
    • The first government-to-government initiative in Asia, ReCAAP strengthens cooperation across the region to fight piracy.
  • Maritime Transportation Security Act:
  • EU Maritime Security Strategy:
  • Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act:

Action: Preventing Maritime Crime (Operations and Tactics)

Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime security.

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) are essential for improving Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), as they track vessels and increase global transparency, making it harder for criminals to conceal their activities. However, bad actors have adapted their tactics, using AIS spoofing to manipulate signals and hide illegal actions. This involves either turning off a ship’s AIS transponder or tampering with the signal to make the vessel appear elsewhere, undermining the transparency AIS provides and complicating efforts to identify illicit activity.

To learn more about AIS manipulation, sanction compliance, and preventing maritime crime, check out the following resources by Pole Star Global:

SeaClearly Podcast – Invisible Ships: The Battle Against AIS Spoofing

You can also listen to Pole Star Global’s SeaClearly podcast for further insights. Join Dany Rastelli as he speaks with Charles Ike, VP of Financial Markets and Compliance at Pole Star Global, and David Tannenbaum, Director of Blackstone Compliance. In this episode, the team discuss how AIS spoofing manipulates maritime tracking systems and impacts global trade, and the technological advancements needed to combat it. This engaging episode reveals the ripple effects on businesses, coastal economies, and safety at sea while unpacking the challenges of achieving true transparency.

To stay ahead of these evolving threats, maritime stakeholders need to combine AIS with more persistent tracking technologies, such as those offered by advanced software solutions like Pole Star Global. Pole Star Global’s persistent tracking technology delivers unparalleled transparency, helping to flag instances of AIS manipulation and other threats before they escalate.

To further boost maritime security, Pole Star Global has partnered with Ambrey, a leader in maritime risk management, to enhance ship security and tracking. By integrating Ambrey’s cutting-edge Security Events service into Pole Star’s Podium platform, the collaboration strengthens Ship Security Alert Service (SSAS) and covert tracking capabilities, ensuring better protection for vessels and crews.

To learn more, head to: Pole Star Global Partners with Ambrey to Deliver Advanced Ship Security Alert Services and Covert Tracking Solutions.

Pillar #3: Maritime Borders

Protecting maritime borders means defending territorial waters from unauthorised entry, potential threats, and illegal activities. This effort is closely linked to pillars #1 and #2 of maritime security, as securing borders also upholds the safe and lawful movement of goods and people, while preventing crimes such as piracy, trafficking, migrant smuggling, and terrorism. Therefore, the same laws and strategies that prevent maritime crime also play a vital role in safeguarding borders.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlights the importance of maritime border control in tackling cross-border crime. The IOM aids countries in enhancing border control by improving search-and-rescue operations, detecting fraudulent travel documents, and fostering inter-agency collaboration.

A significant challenge today is the increasing number of illegal migrant crossings in the Mediterranean. The IOM and other organisations are working to improve systems for receiving, screening, and directing migrants while protecting their rights.

Maritime border security also extends to protecting critical infrastructure, such as ports and offshore facilities, which are increasingly vulnerable to attacks and sabotage. With the rise of hybrid warfare and cyber threats, securing maritime borders has become even more complex.

Countries worldwide are strengthening their maritime border security by combining robust policies, advanced technology, and international cooperation.

Key Regulatory Requirements to Protect Maritime Borders

  • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):

    • UNCLOS, which was previously mentioned, also serves as the primary international agreement regulating maritime borders. It defines the boundaries and rights within the following maritime zones:

      • Territorial Waters: Extend up to 12 nautical miles from a country’s coastline, granting full sovereignty over these waters.
      • Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs): These waters reach up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline, granting nations special rights to explore and exploit marine resources.
      • The High Seas: Areas beyond national jurisdictions, governed by the principle of freedom of navigation.
    • Key provisions under UNCLOS include:
      • Freedom of Navigation: Allowing ships to traverse international waters without obstruction.
      • Sovereignty Over Territorial Waters: Enabling countries to control ship passage and resource use within their boundaries.
      • Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Establishing peaceful methods to resolve maritime border conflicts.
  • Customs and Trade Compliance Regulations:
    • To ensure legitimate trade and prevent illegal activities, maritime borders are also governed by international customs standards, including those set by the World Customs Organization (WCO). These standards regulate customs procedures at seaports, promoting secure and lawful global trade.

National Maritime Laws:

In addition to UNCLOS, nations enforce their own maritime laws to secure borders and prevent illegal activities. These laws cover:

  • Customs and Border Protection: Policies aimed at combating smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking across maritime borders.
  • Coast Guard and Naval Operations: Guidelines for deploying military and Coast Guard forces to monitor activities, protect borders, and respond to threats effectively.

Action: Protecting Maritime Borders (Operations and Tactics)

Protecting maritime borders requires a combination of surveillance, enforcement, and coordinated action to prevent unauthorised entry, combat international crime, and secure vital trade routes.

Real-time vessel tracking is a cornerstone of these efforts, with AIS and persistent tracking systems playing a pivotal role in monitoring maritime traffic and identifying suspicious activities. For instance, Pole Star Global provides continuous vessel monitoring and automated alerts whenever ships enter sensitive maritime zones.

In addition to tracking, Pole Star utilises AI and data analysis to create comprehensive risk profiles for vessels, enabling key stakeholders to assess the risks associated with ships entering critical maritime zones and borders.

To learn more on how to safeguard vital trade routes read Pole Star Global’s following resources:

Pillar #4: Maritime Environment

Pollution, overfishing, and climate change significantly threaten marine life and the vital economic resources and industries it sustains. While the maritime industry contributes to these challenges, its proximity to these environments places it in a unique position to spearhead efforts in ocean protection. To achieve this, key stakeholders must uphold robust maritime security standards and prioritise four critical areas currently damaging the marine ecosystem.

  • Plastic Pollution: At least 14 million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year, with plastic waste accounting for 80% of ocean debris. Without action, this figure could increase to 29 million tonnes, damaging marine life.
  • Overfishing: Overfishing remains a significant threat to global fish populations. Between 2006 and 2022, fish stock trends have fluctuated, with some regions showing improvement while others continue to face challenges. To ensure the long-term sustainability of marine life, the European Union is actively working to lower fishing pressure to sustainable levels.
  • Climate Change and Emissions: The shipping industry is responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is about the same as the aviation industry. The IMO is working to reduce these emissions, with the goal of reaching net-zero by 2050. This is crucial in fighting the impacts of climate change on the oceans.
  • Overexploitation: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated zones in the ocean aimed at safeguarding marine life and ecosystems. While the size of MPAs has expanded over the years, they still cover only a small fraction of the world’s oceans. To address this, the European Union has set an ambitious goal to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, a significant move toward ensuring the health and sustainability of marine environments for future generations.

Key Regulatory Requirements to Safeguard the Maritime Environment

International Conventions, Regulations, and Laws:

  • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
    • UNCLOS outlines the rights and responsibilities of countries when it comes to using and protecting marine resources. It requires nations to reduce marine pollution from sources such as land-based runoff, seabed activities, ships, and waste dumping.
  • MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships):
    • MARPOL establishes standards to prevent pollution from ships. It regulates pollution from oil, chemicals, and other harmful substances, emphasising reduction through technical requirements and operational practices.
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
    • The CBD is a global agreement focused on wildlife protection. It advocates for the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) and supports the sustainable management of marine resources.
  • Ballast Water Management Convention:
    • The BWM Convention regulates the discharge of ballast water from ships to stop the spread of invasive species that can harm local ecosystems.
  • Regulations on Plastic Pollution:
    • To address the growing issue of plastic pollution in oceans, many nations, including those in the European Union, have implemented laws to reduce single-use plastics. The EU has banned certain plastics and encourages producers to manage the entire lifecycle of their products, promoting waste reduction.
  • Fisheries Regulations:
    • The EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) ensures sustainable management of fish stocks, using methods like the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) to prevent overfishing. Other countries have implemented similar regulations.

National Legislation:

  • EU Directives and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD):
    • The MSFD mandates EU countries to achieve and maintain “Good Environmental Status” (GES) in their marine waters. This involves tackling challenges such as species loss, pollution, and the sustainable management of marine resources to safeguard the environment.
  • Coastal nations have specific laws to protect their marine environments. These laws cover areas such as offshore drilling, waste disposal, and coastal management to reduce pollution and safeguard habitats.

Action: Safeguarding the Marine Environment (Operations and Tactics)

Compliance with regulations is essential for safeguarding the marine environment, and technology plays a pivotal role in achieving this.

For example, Pole Star Global‘s AIS and continuous tracking systems are crucial for identifying vessels involved in illegal activities. By integrating this tracking with aerial surveillance, authorities can obtain detailed imagery to monitor maritime zones for illicit activities such as unauthorised fishing, pollution, and illegal dumping. This technology offers real-time awareness, enabling swift responses to emerging threats.

In addition, to help the shipping industry meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) target of net-zero emissions by 2050, it is critical to track, report, and reduce emissions. Pole Star Global’s Podium platform supports this effort by using onboard technology to monitor emissions in near real-time. All emissions data is stored in one centralised location, making it easily accessible to be analysed by key stakeholders. Pole Star Global aims to streamline emissions tracking, ensuring companies remain compliant with vital regulations such as EU ETS, UK MRV, CII, and the Sea Cargo Charter.

To learn more about how to uphold strict ESG standards, read the following articles:

Strengthening Maritime Security: Advanced Maritime Security Solutions

Maritime security is built upon four core pillars: safety, crime prevention, border protection, and environmental preservation. Addressing these areas is essential to ensuring a secure and sustainable maritime future.

With threats such as piracy, terrorism, and environmental crimes becoming increasingly prevalent, the need for collaboration among governments, international organisations, law enforcement, and private companies has never been more urgent. Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) solutions, such as those offered by Pole Star Global, are crucial in maintaining rigorous security standards and supporting coordinated efforts across multiple stakeholders.

Pole Star provides a centralised platform that consolidates vital data and ship activity information, helping to uphold regulatory standards in all four areas of maritime security. Whether it is offering real-time emissions monitoring, tracking vessels to detect illegal activities, compiling safety certification documents, or alerting authorities about breaches in maritime zones, Pole Star Global serves as a single, integrated platform. By gathering data from multiple sources, it enables seamless access and collaboration among stakeholders. All parties have the necessary information to comply with stringent regulations and identify suspicious activities operating in the grey zones of what is acceptable, allowing for thorough analysis.

For more information, get in touch with a member of our team today.