x

Glossary

  • PublishedDecember 8, 2021
0-9
A
ATON
Aid to Navigation, any device external to a vessel or aircraft specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course, or to warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation. Such aids commonly include lighthouses, buoys, fog signals, and day beacons.
Attack
Incident during which aggressors used their weapons or conducted an attack against the ship, without being able to take control of her.



B
C
CRESMAC
The Maritime Security Regional coordination Central Africa is a multinational and multifunctional body composed of civil servants and from military. The CRESMAC is installed in Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the CONGO play a crucial role in the coordination of maritime security within the 19 coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
CRESMAC
Regional Maritime Security Center for Central Africa
CRESMAO
The Regional Center for Maritime Security of West Africa is a multinational and multifunctional body composed of civil servants and from military. The CRESMAO is installed in Abidjan in Ivory coast play a crucial role in the coordination of maritime security within the 19 coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
CSDP
Under the Common Security and Defence Policy, the EU takes a leading role in peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention and the strengthening of international security.
Cargo
The freight (goods, products) carried by a ship, barge, train, truck or plane
D
Draft
The depth of a loaded vessel in the water taken from the level of the waterline to the lowest point of the hull of the vessel; depth of water, or distance between the bottom of the ship and waterline.
E
ECCAS
The Economic Community of Central African States is an Economic Community of the African Union for promotion of regional economic co-operation in Central Africa. It “aims to achieve collective autonomy, raise the standard of living of its populations and maintain economic stability through harmonious cooperation”.
ECOWAS
Economic Community of West African States is made up of fifteen member countries that are located in the Western African region. These countries have both cultural and geopolitical ties and shared common economic interest.
EEZ
An Exclusive Economic Zone is an area of the sea in which a sovereign state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind
Europol
European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation
F
G
GGC
Gulf of Guinea Commission
GGC
The Gulf of Guinea Commission aims to create conditions of mutual confidence, peace, and security conducive to the harmonious development of member states; and to promote close consultation in the exploitation of the natural resources of the Gulf of Guinea. This is with a view to ensuring the economic development of member states and the well-being of their peoples. Since 2013, the organisation has been more focused on building regional maritime security architecture.
GoG
Gulf of Guinea, The Gulf of Guinea is the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean from Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia.
H
I
ICJ
The International Court of Justice, is one of the six principal organs of the united Nations. Its settles disputes between states in accordance with international law and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues. The ICJ is the only international court that adjucates general disputes between countries, with its ruling and opinions serving as primary sources of international law
IFC
Information Fusion Center, established on 27 April 2009, the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) is a regional Maritime Security (MARSEC) center hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The IFC aims to facilitate information sharing and collaboration between its partners to enhance MARSEC.
The integrated team comprising both International Liaison Officers (ILOs) and RSN personnel has worked well together to facilitate and catalyse maritime information sharing and collective sense-making. Till date, 24 countries
ILO
International Labour Organization is the only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
ILOs
International Liaison Officers are hired by an organization for the proper facilitation of work of the organization in a foreign country or territory.
IMO
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nation’s specialised agency that is responsible for prescribing international standards for safety of life at sea, marine security and protection of the marine environment.

INMARSAT
The International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT) organisation operates a constellation of geostationary satellites that extend mobile phone, fax and data communications to every part of the world, except the poles. INMARSAT provides telephony and data services to users world-wide, via special digital radios called “terminals”. An INMARSAT terminal contacts the satellite and communicates to a ground station through the satellite. Ship-owners and managers, connected to an INMARSAT satellite, can dial into the international telephone network and send data over the internet.
J
K
L
M
MARSEC
MARitime SECurity, is a general term for the protection of vessels both internally and externally. The areas from which ships and maritime operations need protecting include terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal trafficking of goods and people, illegal fishing and pollution.
MICA Center
Maritime Information Cooperation & Awarness Center is the French analysis and assessment center for worldwide security of maritime areas.
The MICA Center is 24/7 monitoring, assessing and alerts incidents that affect worldwide maritime security by the collaborative work of about thirty experts from French and foreign partner navies.
MMSI
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a unique 9 digit number that is assigned to a ship’s radio station. This radio technology allows enhanced distress radio messages to be sent digitally. It primarily registers the ship’s information in national distress databases worldwide for use in emergency situations. See also EPIRB.

N
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two North American.
NIMASA
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, is responsible for regulations related to Nigerian shipping, maritime labor and coastal waters. The agency also undertakes inspections and provides search and rescue services.
O
P
Piracy
Act of violence perpetrated for private purposes in open sea areas (beyond territorial waters)
Q
R
Robbery
Unlawful act, committed for private purposes against a ship, or against persons or property on board, in inland waters, archipelago waters or the territorial sea of a State.
S
SCA
The Suez Canal Authority, established on July 26th, 1956 , is a public and an independent authority of a juristic personality,SCA shall report to the Prime Minister. It has all the authorities needed for running the Canal without being limited by the laws and the systems of the government.
The SCA manages, operates, uses, maintains and improves the Suez Canal. It is the SCA, alone and exclusively, that issues and keeps in force the rules of navigation in the Canal and other rules and regulations that provide for a well and orderly run canal.
Smuggling
Goods prohibited in trade (such as weapons going to Iran, anything to Cuba). Smuggled goods.

T
U
UN
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization aiming to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations. It is the world’s largest and most familiar international organization.
UNCLOS
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is an international agreement that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities. As of June 2016, 167 countries and the European Union are parties.
UNODC
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is a United Nations office that was established in 1997 as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention.
The agency’s focus is the trafficking in and abuse of illcit drugs, crime prevention and criminal justice,international terrorism and political corruption.
USCG
United States Coast Guard
V
W
X
Y
Z
Written By
maritimescrimes

close