Secure supply chains
Secure supply chains are essential to global trade. The World Shipping Council works to address threats such as drug trafficking, piracy, and cyber risks, while supporting the principle of freedom in navigation. We collaborate with governments, international organisations, and industry partners to develop practical, coordinated measures that keep maritime trade routes safe while ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate commerce.
-
WSC regards freedom of navigation as an essential, legally protected right for all merchant vessels operating globally. We strongly condemn attacks on shipping, especially recent ones in sensitive chokepoints like the Red Sea. We endorse multinational security initiatives that restore and preserve safe passage. We call for robust diplomatic cooperation to maintain and reinforce this foundational principle of maritime trade.
-
Drug trafficking is destroying lives, families and communities. Liner carriers will not tolerate having their services abused by criminals, and we are working closely with law enforcement and customs authorities to help fight drug trafficking, on an industry level as well as in carriers’ daily operations.
-
Piracy is as old as shipping and remains a significant threat. Although liner vessels - container ships and roll-on/roll-off vessels - are generally at lower risk for hijackings because of their higher operating speeds and freeboard (height above the water), they have been consistently targeted by pirates especially off Somalia and in the Gulf of Guinea.
-
Together with other industry associations, WSC has developed “Guidelines on Cybersecurity Onboard Ships”, which are regularly updated to include the latest available risk information, cyber risk management guidance, IMO requirements, and operational practices.