New and Emerging Threats to Maritime Security

Transportation has become an increasingly global network that enables the carriage of people and freight across the globe. It has been claimed that the most important element of international trade is the maritime trade and that it is a vital driver of the world economy.(1) It is important, therefore, that stringent measures are taken to counter acts of unlawful interference with this area of transport. The threat against the security of maritime transport is growing. What is alarming is the evolution of the nature of threats and the unpredictability of their nature and occurrence. The theme of this article is legislative and regulatory preparedness, based on the fundamental premise of commonality of threats faced by maritime, air and surface transport and the political and legislative preparedness that is needed among the world community of nations to be of one mind when addressing issues of pre-emption and prevention. It therefore discusses the nature and purpose of terrorism against the backdrop of new and emerging threats and addresses legal and regulatory measures that the international community has been impelled to take. The article concludes with some suggestions towards responding to the various threats that maritime transport faces and the political and philosophical platform on which issues should be addressed.