Highlighting and discussing methods in which vessel, offshore installation owners and operators can counter the ever-present threat of international piracy, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is hosting a two day conference in Portsmouth on the 15 and 16 September entitled 'Piracy and Offshore Security Conference - Practical responses and solutions'.

To be held at the aptly named 'Action Stations' venue at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the conference will see maritime industry experts and international suppliers of security-related services and specialist equipment gather to discuss what is needed to protect ships and installations from the ever growing threat of pirate attack.

Packed conference programme
Topics covered on the first day will include the threat of piracy and how it affects the UK's supply chain as well as the current level of pirate activity and its relative costs, hidden and real. Speakers will also cover global piracy and identify areas of high risk; current figures and trends and how to protect the vessel. Day two focuses on the Naval perspective and covers rules of engagement and the practical assistance navies can give to commercial shipping. Speakers will also describe how vessels can help themselves as well as looking at some of the solutions to the problem of piracy.

The conference will end with a panel session 'The Way Forward' involving key participants from the two days including a leading operator, a naval expert and representatives of international shipping groups who will join the session moderator to assess what has been learned from the proceedings.

Further information and registration
Further information including registration at the early bird rate and discounts for IMarEST Members and Marine Partners is available from www.imarest.org and from the Events Department at IMarEST, 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ, UK. Tel: 44 (0)20 7382 2636/2655; Fax: 44 (0)20 7382 2667. Email: events@imarest.org.