Automated Vessel Risk Assessment (AVRA) service announcement

17.06.09

AVRA is a web-based threat-assessment system with a risk engine, provided to BIMCO by Aegis Defence Services Ltd., that generates individual threat assessments for an individual vessel making an individual voyage. The product and its development costs have been authorised and budgeted for up to and including Phase III as below.

a. Phase II - Commercial Trial – 6 July to 31 Aug 2009
b. Phase III – Commercial Launch – 1 Sep

In collaboration with the International Maritime Bureau and risk intelligence security consultants Aegis, the software will, with a few keystrokes, enable the level of threat to be assessed in a ship-specific fashion. The system recognises that the size and speed of the ship, the number of crew and the type of vessel are relevant, certainly in the assessment of piracy risks, and is better than a more general injunction that “here there be pirates”.

AVRA will also point out for a company and Master that in port X there is an atmosphere of endemic corruption, disrespect for visiting ships and their seafarers, or in Port Y the security precautions are so poor that the drug barons come and go at will.

Further details

AVRA uses weighted threat factors such as cargo, type of vessel, flag, crew nationality, speed, and route chosen to assess what kind of threats might be faced at different stages of the voyage. It is exceptionally user-friendly; it is effectively an Excel spreadsheet (so requiring limited bandwidth, making it a viable option for Masters or offices in areas with poor internet connections) into which the client enters the relevant information. The report that is generated provides text on threats faced in specific areas; a diagrammatic representation of the threat in different ports and seaways (suggesting which MARSEC level should be observed); and recommendations on how to mitigate threats where they exist. If a vessel is unable to access the web, the company office can forward a pdf version of the report by e-mail or fax to the vessel.

The report is also ISPS-compliant. It is constantly updated (major developments will be reflected in entries within hours and it will have daily piracy updates). It assesses the threat in over 2,900 ports and 80 sea areas worldwide. The analysis included in each paragraph takes into account the risk to civilian and commercial vessels and their crews from such diverse factors as acts of terrorism in the port country or littoral region, the maritime capability of local terrorist and criminal groups, piracy, domestic political unrest, smuggling, incidents of stowaways, the presence of organised crime, corruption, or the potential for any of these. AVRA also attempts, where possible, to be predictive; to highlight areas where tension is high and events could lead to certain threats suddenly developing. This allows the Master or ship's operator to make an educated assessment of the measures they need to take, including, if necessary, a change to the route planned.

The service will be fully available to all members from 1 September and enquiries for future use should be made to the Sales Department.

Source: BIMCO