Security, Defence, Technology and Specialised Sectors

Maritime security, geopolitics and risk glossary (page 2)

Protection of merchant shipping against deliberate harm: chokepoint geopolitics and rerouting, anti-piracy practice under the BMP series with PCASP, citadels, UKMTO, and ReCAAP, sanctions compliance and the dark fleet (OFAC, the oil price cap, AIS spoofing and STS transfers), cybersecurity under MSC.428(98), the ISPS Code and its security roles, MARSEC levels, LRIT and SSAS tracking, war risk and the Joint War Committee, and kidnap-and-ransom response.

326 defined terms.

Showing 76 on this page (page 2 of 2).

R

ReCAAP ISC: Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery, Singapore-based ISC.
Recognized Security Organization (RSO): Performs port-facility security tasks under ISPS Code.
Red Flag (Sanctions): Indicator of evasion (AIS gap, STS pattern, opaque ownership).
Red Sea Risk: Houthi-driven elevated war/strikes exposure since late 2023.
Reflagging: Change of flag, often to obscure identity or alter regulatory exposure.
Refugees and Migrants at Sea (UNHCR-IMO): Joint guidance on rescue and disembarkation.
Regional Maritime Information Sharing (Yaoundé Code): West/Central Africa coordination architecture.
Reporting Officer (PCASP): Onboard security team leader liaising with master.
Risk Assessment (SSA): Ship Security Assessment underpinning the SSP.
Rules of the Use of Force (RUF): PCASP rules-of-engagement standards.

S

Safe Berth/Port Warranty: Charterparty undertaking, security-relevant.
Salvage Convention 1989: International Convention on Salvage, with Article 14 special compensation.
Sanctions Screening: Automated checking of parties/vessels against sanctions lists.
Sanctions Snap-Back: Re-imposition mechanism (e.g., JCPOA).
SCOPIC Clause: Special Compensation P&I Clause incorporated into LOF.
SDN (Specially Designated National): OFAC-designated person/vessel.
Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC): Strategically vital shipping routes.
Sea Marshal: Federal LE officer aboard high-risk US-bound vessels.
Sea Robbery: IMB term for armed robbery in territorial waters (vs piracy).
Sectoral Sanctions Identifications (SSI) List: OFAC list of sectoral restrictions.
Security Drill: ISPS-mandated quarterly exercise.
Security Exercise: Annual multi-party exercise involving ship/port/agency.
Security Level (MARSEC): Three-tier ISPS posture.
SHADE (Shared Awareness and Deconfliction): Multinational naval coordination forum.
Shadow Fleet: Tankers carrying sanctioned crude outside conventional insurance.
Ship Security Alert System (SSAS): Required under SOLAS XI-2/6.
Ship Security Assessment (SSA): ISPS-required vessel risk assessment.
Ship Security Officer (SSO): Required under ISPS Code Part A.
Ship Security Plan (SSP): Required under ISPS Code Part A.
Singapore Strait: Eastward extension of the Malacca chokepoint.
SOLAS Chapter XI-2: Maritime security regulations including ISPS.
Somali Basin: Western Indian Ocean piracy operating area.
SP-728 (NATO STANAG NCAGS): Doctrinal publication.
Spear-Phishing: Targeted phishing against specific shore/ship staff.
State Sponsor of Terrorism: US State Department designation with sanctions effect.
Stevedore Security Screening: ISPS-aligned access control for shore labor.
Stowaway: Person concealed on board, governed by FAL Convention.
STS (Ship-to-Ship Transfer) Red Flags: Indicators of sanctions evasion in STS operations.
SUA Convention 1988 and Protocol 2005: Treaty regime against unlawful acts at sea, incl. WMD interdiction.
Submarine Cable Security: Protection of subsea telecom infrastructure.
Suez Canal Authority (SCA): Egyptian authority operating the canal.
Suez Canal Net Tonnage (SCNT): Special tonnage for canal dues.
Supply-Chain Cyber Attack: Compromise via third-party software/equipment supplier.
Surveillance Drone (Anti-Piracy): UAS used for early warning.

T

Targeted Sanctions: Measures against specific individuals/entities/vessels.
Terrorism Risk Insurance: Coverage where standard war-risk excludes terrorism.
Threat Hunting: Proactive cyber-defense practice in OT/IT networks.
TIA (Terror Insurance Additional): AP for terror-affected listed area calls.
Time-on-Risk Premium: War-risk AP charged per day in listed area.
Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML): Use of shipping invoices/B/Ls to launder value.
Trafficking in Persons (TIP): US State annual report relevant to crewing/fishing fleets.
Transit Corridor (IRTC): Recommended Gulf of Aden patrolled route.
Two-Person Rule: Critical-system access control reducing insider risk.

U

UK MTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations): Royal Navy liaison cell at Dubai.
UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA): Indian Ocean area for vessel reporting.
UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC): Includes migrant-smuggling protocol.
UN Sanctions Committee (1718/1737/2206 etc.): Subsidiary UNSC bodies on country-specific regimes.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982: Constitutional treaty for the oceans.
US Coast Guard Sector: Geographic command for port-security and SAR functions.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Trade and security agency administering CSI/AMS.

V

VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, Seizure): Naval boarding tactic for compliant/non-compliant vessels.
Vessel Hardening Guide: BMP annex outlining physical anti-piracy measures.
Vessel of Interest (VOI): MDA-flagged ship warranting closer attention.
Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA): UKMTO Indian Ocean reporting zone.

W

WAR Risk Insurance: Cover for war and strikes perils excluded from hull policy.
War Risk Trading Warranties: Hull policy clauses listing excluded areas.
Warlike Operations Bonus: Crew supplementary pay for listed-area transits.
Wassenaar Arrangement: Export-control regime for conventional arms and dual-use goods.
WMD Interdiction: Boarding and seizure of WMD-related shipments under PSI/SUA.
Workplace Violence (Maritime): ILO-recognized risk including armed boarding.

X

X-Press Pearl Casualty (2021): High-profile fire/loss illustrating cargo and pollution security risk.

Y

Yacht Threat Profile: Specialized risk for high-value pleasure craft transits.
Yaoundé Code of Conduct (2013): ECCAS/ECOWAS framework for Gulf of Guinea security.

Z

Zero Trust Architecture: Cyber paradigm assuming breach; verifying every request.
Zero-Day Exploit: Previously unknown cyber vulnerability exploitable before patch.
Zone of Peace (Indian Ocean): 1971 UNGA Declaration framing regional security.

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