Solving the dilemma between maritime security and trade : in search of the most effective approach

• Main Author: Teo, Shu Ying.
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Maritime studies::Maritime management and business
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/44515
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Heightened maritime security measures being implemented in recent years has led to the concern that organisational efficiency and hence international trade would be hampered as a result. This leads to the primary research question of how to balance the dilemma between maritime security and organisation efficiency i.e facilitating the smooth flow of materials while enhancing supply chain security at the same time by using a management model. In addressing this question, the current major security measures in place in the industry and the existing models to address them were analysed to derive the answers to three secondary research questions namely identifying the critical success factors that should be included and are important and practical to a management model that seeks to balance the dilemma between maritime security and organisation efficiency. The management model could then be applied at the organisation level, following which would give rise to the effective implementation of various measures. Five dimensions with 24 critical success factors have been identified as building blocks critical for the development of an effective model. For a more structured approach, it is suggested that a project management view be adopted by grouping the critical success factors into the various time phases throughout the duration of security implementation to bring attention to the different point of emphasis at different stages of implementation. Empirical testing through surveys, specifically the ship owners and management companies and port and terminal operators in Singapore aggregated with responses from interviews have found all 24 associated critical success factors to be valid. These supported elements that are incorporated into the model are thus considered as important and practical factors for effective security management that organisations should use in the development of a self checklist to effectively guide the implementation of security measures. However, this study faces limitations in the low response rate of the surveys and narrow geographical scope. Therefore, desired future research should be conducted in various countries with different socio-economical settings and with a larger sample size.