Improving maritime security through surveillance monitoring and communication systems is on the agenda at an IMO seminar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (24-27 October). The event is supporting senior officials from ten east-Asian coastal states, with a wide range of responsibilities surrounding maritime surveillance monitoring and communications, coastal and port security to gain a deeper understanding of practical measures in these fields.
Security challenges such as piracy and armed robbery, terrorist fighters, organized crime and mixed migration are being discussed, as well as the maritime communication and ship tracking and monitoring systems, such as AIS, LRIT, coastal radar, monitoring control and surveillance systems. Other issues being examined include cyber security and the review of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
The attending countries will therefore be able to establish, or enhance existing, maritime situational awareness systems, as well as share information with each other and with ships navigating in the areas under their jurisdiction. Thereby, maritime security, safety of navigation, protection of the marine environment and the search and rescue of persons in distress at sea will all be enhanced.
The event is organized under IMO’s integrated technical cooperation programme, with expert participation by the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), the Norwegian Coastal Administration, INTERPOL, UNODC, Comité International Radio-Maritime (CIRM) and IOM.
IMO is represented by Henrik Madsen, Siti Azit, regional representative Josephine Uranza and a team of consultants.