Maritime security information

According to the Vietnam Maritime Code 2015: Maritime security information refers to pieces of information about any illegal act of obstruction of a ship’s voyage, or about any past or possible risk that can cause ship accidents or incidents.  

1. Ships operating within Vietnamese port water area and waters must send a distress call when in a state of emergency at sea in accordance with regulations.

2. Other ships must, upon receipt of maritime security information from any ship underway at sea, be obliged to transmit such information to responsible authorities or organisations of such ship’s country.

3. The authority that has received maritime security information shall be responsible for arranging 24/24 watchstanding work in order to process received information and deliver maritime security information in a timely manner to any relevant authority.

The mission of the Maritime Security Information Centre

- Receive information about the level, change in the level of maritime security, maritime security information from the Coast Guard Command and the Ministry of Public Security to transmit to ships, mobile platforms, port facilities and other relevant Vietnamese agencies as well as foreign competent authorities upon request;

- Receive maritime security information from sea-going ships, mobile platforms, port facilities or from foreign competent authorities, or from other organisations and individuals and promptly notify the Vietnam Coast Guard, the Ministry of Public Security and other relevant agencies of Vietnam. In case of receiving information from sea-going ships or mobile platforms with foreign flags, they must notify to the competent authorities of that country;

- Receiving information on maritime safety and prevention of marine environmental pollution caused by the operations of ships;

- Exchanging information related to maritime security between Vietnam and international maritime security organisations;

- Participate in maritime security incident drills, practice connection of maritime security information with domestic agencies, enterprises and foreign anti-terrorism organisations according to regulations;

- Coordinate with relevant authorities and organisations in performing other tasks related to maritime security information.

Maritime security situation in the first 6 months of 2021

According to the synthesis of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Center, in the first 6 months of 2021, although the number of cases of maritime security violations decreased by about 35% over the same period in 2020, the maritime security situation in the region is not really stable. There have been 37 cases (with 02 unsuccessful cases) occurred in Asia, including: 01 serious case, 10 less serious cases, 24 non-serious cases, of which: 15 cases (41%) occurred when vessels were at anchor, 22 incidents (59%) occurred while ships were on cruise.

As for the waters of Vietnam, in the first 6 months of 2021, there were no armed robberies. At seaport areas, no Vietnamese ships have been stolen or broken into. However, there were still 02 cases of foreign ships being stolen (01 normal case, 01 non-serious case), an increase of 01 case compared to 2020.

The maritime port authorities have closely coordinated with the Vietnam Coast Guard, the Border Guard, the Public Security and local authorities to resolutely fight and prevent theft of ships in Vietnam, contributing to ensuring security and safety at sea.

TRAN TOAN