Ocean Carriers’ Perspective on Maritime Security

This chapter examines the question of which international organization or combination of organizations should guide development and implementation efforts for the supply chain security regime in the coming years. After providing background materials on risk assessment and management principles and a brief summary of supply chain security initiatives taken or under discussion by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Customs Organization (WCO), World Trade Organization, European Union, and the United States, the chapter suggests criteria that should be used in deciding how competency over the future development and implementation efforts should be allocated. Application of those criteria leads to the conclusion that the current joint effort by IMO and WCO best meets the public and private needs in maritime security system. At the same, the organizations' effectiveness should be periodically assessed against objective performance criteria to ensure that today's choice remains a sound one in our rapidly changing security environment. Keywords: European Union; International Maritime Organization (IMO); international organizations; international supply chain security; maritime security; World Customs Organization (WCO); World Trade Organization