§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance has been given to the merchant shipping industry to increase maritime security in non-UK waters since 11 September 2001; and if he will make a statement. [118277]
§ Mr. JamiesonMy Department regularly issues advice to the United Kingdom merchant shipping industry. This includes information about the prevailing. threat around the world, and appropriate security responses and enhancements. The advice is either issued directly or through representative trade associations.
1086WDetailed security guidance is issued to UK flagged cruise ships operating from overseas ports. This guidance is kept under review and has been enhanced since the events of September 2001. Measures contained in the guidance are appropriate to the level of threat, and implementation is monitored by my officials during regular overseas inspection visits.
In November 2002 my Department published a Marine Guidance Note containing security advice on measures to counter attacks against merchant shipping. This was issued to every UK seafarer.