Piracy Protection: The Relevance of Container Tracking Software to Maritime Crime

Still waters run deep. But for many maritime vagabonds, these waters present opportunities to make a quick buck.

Maritime history has always been peppered with stories of pirate raids on commercial vessels. Though the image of the cutlass-wielding, eye patch-wearing swashbucklers of 18th-century narratives has dwindled into the silver screen, the techniques are still being demonstrated by their contemporary counterparts infesting the seas of Africa and Asia.

Now, we do not expect these syndicates to still use flintlocks and powder kegs to raid ships ranging from passenger cruisers to container carriers. It is not surprising that they currently employ the latest in naval weaponry and maritime tracking to zero in on potential targets.

Syndicates now use high speed motorboats to board unsuspecting vessels. Eventually, a variety of scenarios come at play once they have taken over the ship: the loss of cargo or the loss of a crew member, both of which are too serious to warrant neglect.

In many cases, pirate attacks result in revenue loss and ultimately, the loss of lives. But as much as we would like to invest in marine security and training for vessel personnel, it is also the duty of every carrier operator to keep track of every ship en route to its destination.

While governments and international law-making bodies are making considerable progress in improving maritime security and ensuring the safety and maintenance of economic supply chains, carrier operators should also make the necessary steps to protect their supply chains from pirate attacks. And too often, preventive measures and safety nets are more effective. This is where an effective container tracking software fits in.

Shipping softwarecompanies ensure operational conveniences through IT packages that keep track of cargo space, bunker capacity and cost management in regards to tariffs and port costs.  But while all these tend only to the temporal conditions of sea voyage, a software package should also allow the operator a firsthand view of ship positions in real-time and take necessary courses of action in the event of dire scenarios. For this a package should have the characteristics of ease and automation without any unnecessary technicalities. Otherwise, you would need to hire someone with the capabilities of managing such an intricate system.

In addition, your main arsenal should comprise a real-time tracking system that allows you a free rein of your vessel’s progress as well as provide you automated reports on current situations. 

Finally, a system package should also have the capabilities of managing insurance claims in the event of illegal seizure. The package should allow operators to manage policy claims in a systematic and less complicated way, with respect to presenting a clear and complete details of policy components.

 Given that piracy continues to plague and disrupt supply chains across the globe, it is imperative for carrier operators to provide their operations with upgraded IT systems that can ensure vessel security, maintain profitability, and above all save lives.