OCIMF has released a paper focusing on the drones threatening merchant ships

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has released a paper focusing on the drones causing the threat to merchant ships.

Drones have emerged as a means of employing loitering munitions (LM) to target merchant ships.

These drones are designed with an integrated weaponry system and possess the ability to remain stationary within a specific area until they identify their intended target.

The widespread adoption of these rapidly evolving technologies presents a growing security concern for the maritime industry.

While these attacks have primarily occurred in the Middle East region, the possibility of their utilization in other areas cannot be dismissed.

This OCIMF paper encompasses the following topics:

• The threat posed by LM, exemplified by the likes of the Shahed-136, which has been utilized in attacks against commercial vessels.
• Operational attributes and evolving patterns concerning the deployment of these systems, along with the technical specifications of LM.
• Considerations, including guidance aimed at promoting best practices for addressing this emerging security challenge.

The "Loitering Munitions - The Threat to Merchant Ships" was released on 1 August 2023.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL OCIMF DOCUMENT