Working Group

Maritime Safety and Security in the Americas

Introduction

The maritime sector is fundamental in the global economy and in the daily lives of people around the world, accounting for 90% of the movement of goods within the region, it promotes global connectivity, provides access to natural resources, generates employment, boosts tourism and recreation, and supports national security and defense.
 
The maritime sector is susceptible to lack of coordination among various national systems,  and maintaining a secure flow of trade requiring states to make a concerted effort to harmonize their rules and systems in order to coordinate among a broad range of border security agencies so that  their maritime transport systems operate seamlessly across borders.
Currently the maritime sector is highly vulnerable to illicit activities given its inherent transnational nature and the growth of new technologies. Unfortunately, this sector is an important target for organized crime, and for past years has faced several threats, including trafficking of illicit drugs, persons, weapons; illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; piracy; cyber-attacks; migrant smuggling; theft, contraband and pilferage among others.
As an important part of the international trade, the maritime sector needs to establish a harmonized and stable supply chain. International trade in recent years has grown at a faster rate compared to the port facilities, which means that the demand for product is increasing and consequently, port facilities are in need to find a way to be effective in their processes and streamline the movement of cargo. Disruptions affecting shipping and ports can have major impacts on international supply chains, causing economic consequences to the region. The maritime sector and economic development are closely linked, a balance between facilitation of trade and security must be in place, encouraging trade in an efficient and secure manner.

Mission Statement

 To foster a collaborative environment to strengthen maritime security, ensure balance between trade facilitation and security, and enhance a safe maritime environment in the region.

Objectives

1. Enhance Security Measures: Strengthen maritime security through implementation measures to combat illicit activities, to include trafficking of drugs, persons, weapons, illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, cyber-attacks, migrant smuggling, theft, contraband and pilferage among others, while safeguarding national and regional interests.
2. Developing Strong Mechanisms and Policies: Encourage authorities, stakeholder and strategic partners to communicate effectively among themselves, maximize their resources, take a comprehensive review of their maritime security.
3. Foster Interagency Collaboration: Work with organizations, governments, and industry partners to align policies, standards, and best practices, ensuring a unified approach to maritime safety and security challenges.
4. Promote Safe Navigation: Ensure the safety of vessels, crews, and passengers by advocating for the best practices in navigation, vessel operations, and emergency response

Together, we aim to create a secure and safe maritime environment that supports economic growth, environmental stewardship, and regional stability for the benefit of all nations in the Americas. 

Participants

Lisbeth Laurie

Chairperson

Lisbeth Laurie

Lisbeth Laurie is Program Manager and expert in the design of initiatives aiming to improve maritime and port security, including promoting, designing, and implementing key capacity-building programs for north, central and south American countries; developing training content, best practices, and tabletop exercises related to port security; and implementing efforts related to supply-chain security.

In her role as a Program Manager of the Maritime and Port Security Program of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organization of American States (OAS), a multilateral organization covering the Americas, Ms. Laurie has led important initiatives: (1) the development of National Maritime Security Strategies for Guatemala, as well as for each of seven Eastern Caribbean countries and also creation of an Eastern Caribbean Regional Maritime Security Strategy; (2) an operational assessment of a key maritime port for the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; (3) publication of Maritime Cybersecurity in the Western Hemisphere Guidelines, and a Verification and Compliance Manual for Port Security Officials.

Ms. Laurie played a leading role in the substantive execution of a number capacity-building initiatives on supply chain security focused on Authorized Economic Operator Program in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Paraguay and Mexico, as well as in maritime and port security. This has included a number of comprehensive assessments of security-related capabilities at both the national and port levels in Belize, Costa Rica and Mexico; leading national level workshops on maritime security drills and exercises in Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama and Uruguay (the latter in conjunction with the International Maritime Organization); and helping to facilitate a regional workshop and roundtable discussion among senior leadership responsible for maritime security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, Ms. Laurie conducted public outreach and have represented the OAS at numerous national and regional maritime security-related training courses, conferences and meetings of senior decision-makers with a view towards acting as a liaise with donors and prospective donors, and building partnerships with government bodies, stakeholders and other organizations.

At the General Secretariat of the OAS, Mrs. Laurie held a variety of managerial positions, primarily focused on promoting efficiency within the Organization by optimizing processes, resources and ensuring compliance with budgetary and financial rules and regulations of the General Secretariat, its subsidiary bodies, donors and other related entities. In 2010, Ms. Laurie was appointed by the OAS General Secretary as a board member of the OAS Medical Trust Fund.

Ms. Laurie holds degree as a Public Accountant (CPA) and a certification in Forensic Accounting from Georgetown University. As well as various graduated studies related to maritime security; including, Incident Command System; and Maritime and Port Security Official from the Navy University from Mexico; Dynamics of Maritime, River and Port Drug Trafficking from Navy School “Almirante Padilla” Colombia; and Development of National Security Strategies and Maritime Transport of Goods: Key elements, contracts and insurance from the International Maritime Business School from Spain. She is fluent in Spanish and English and has over twenty years of experience working for international organizations.

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Javier Franco

Co-Chairperson

Javier Franco

Javier Franco is a former president of the Colombian Maritime Law Association (ACOLDEMAR). He is currently a Titulary Member of the Comité Maritime International (CMI) and is also a BIMCO trainer. He is the author of the book “Legal aspects of logistics and logistics contracts” (2014) and editor of the book “Perspectives of Maritime Law and Logistics” (2024). Javier is an arbitrator of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce in the fields of commerce and transportation. He also serves as the Director of the Observatory of Logistics and Supply Chain of Universidad Externado de Colombia and is a partner at Franco & Abogados Asociados.

Javier completed his education to become an attorney-at-law at the Externado University, where he also completed a postgraduate course in Maritime Law. He also obtained his LL.M. (master) in International Commercial and Maritime Law from the University of Wales Swansea, UK (distinction). Javier has more than 20 years of experience as a consultant and litigator in the fields of Transportation Law, marine insurance and Shipping Law.

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Dr. Kristina Siig

Co-Chairperson

Dr. Kristina Siig

Professor Dr. Kristina Siig is a distinguished maritime lawyer, focusing on the interplay between private and public law regulations under the Law of the Sea.

A full professor at the University of Southern Denmark as well as an adjunct professor at the Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law, her work is characterized by a strong profile in comparative law and a commitment to interdisciplinary research methods.

She has been involved in numerous high-impact projects and has received significant grants and is an often-used expert commentator on maritime and law of the sea related issues in both Danish and international media as well as consulting with public agencies on such issues.

Recently, she has been leading the Danish government’s Task Force regarding the Scandinavian Star ferry disaster which included coordination of employees with different backgrounds and handling of external communications and political pressures.

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Capt. Kuba Szymanski

Capt. Kuba Szymanski

Captain Kuba Szymanski is the Secretary General for InterManager, the international trade association for the ship and crew management sector.

He began his sea career in 1985. Graduating from the Maritime University of Szczecin with a Master’s Degree, he became a deck officer with Dorchester Maritime Limited Isle of Man where he sailed gas/chemical/product tankers, reaching his first command as a Master in 1999. He continues to maintain his Captain’s Licence.

In order to support his managerial skills, he attended Lloyds Academy and obtained a Certificate in Ship Superintendence, before gaining an MBA at the International Business School, Isle of Man and John Moores University (JMU) Liverpool.

In his roles ashore, he worked as a Marine Superintendent, HSEQ Manager, Fleet Manager and General Manager. He was appointed Secretary General of InterManager in January 2010.

Through his role with InterManager, Capt Szymanski has participated in many industry-wide projects, including the production of international shipping industry Key Performance Indicators (KPI), the Save Our Seafarers campaign, and the Martha Project which focussed on seafarer fatigue at sea. He currently chairs the Human Element Industry Group (HEIG) Enclosed Space Committee. During the Covid-19 pandemic Capt Szymanski represented InterManager on a number of key maritime panels, supporting the health and well-being of seafarers around the world and helping to ensure business continuity for the global supply chain.

In addition to being a member of the Maritime Professional Council of the UK, Capt Szymanski is a fellow of the Nautical Institute and a member of its Executive Board. In 2011 he joined the TK Foundation, which supports non-profit maritime and youth programs, and he currently chairs its HR and Renumeration Committee.

Capt Szymanski is a familiar face on the international maritime conference circuit and also lectures on ship management at the International Business School, Isle of Man. In July 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Solent Southampton University in recognition of his contribution to the maritime industry.

In April 2022 Capt Szymanski took up the additional role of Chair of the Board of the 200-year-old Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS), the UK’s oldest maritime charity. SHS provides a range of health and welfare services to UK-based seafarers and their dependants.

In his leisure time, Kuba is a keen yachtsman and races sails his Beneteau First 40.7 competitively around Europe, mostly double or single handed. He is married with a son who is also a seafarer.

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Brian McNamara

Brian McNamara

Dr. Brian McNamara joined the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement after 25 years of active duty service with the U.S. Coast Guard. In his legal tours, Brian served as the chief of the service’s marine safety law practice group, deputy counsel for regional operations along the Gulf Coast and Western Rivers, and attorney-advisor for the Marine Casualty Investigations National Center of Expertise. Based on his military criminal law experience, the Judge Advocate General appointed Brian to the bench as a collateral duty court-martial judge from 2017-2020.

Brian developed his passion for teaching as an instructor with the Coast Guard’s Maritime Law Enforcement School and began his career as a Deck Watch Officer for a Coast Guard cutter conducting North Atlantic fisheries patrols and Caribbean counter-narcotics operations. He finished his military career as the Logistics Department Head and Commanding Officer of Military Personnel for Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, where he led the teams providing personnel, budget, weapons, and engineering support for all service operations in Southeast Louisiana. He has taught law as an adjunct professor for Tulane Law School and Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida.

Dr. McNamara’s teaching and research focus on public policy, maritime law and policy, and cross-sector collaboration.

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Eric R. Dawicki

Eric R. Dawicki

Eric R. Dawicki is an internationally respected maritime expert who has demonstrated leadership and industry-wide successes in the areas of maritime transportation, safety, security, and regulatory affairs, while also leading global advancements in maritime policy, education and training, and economic development.

A Master of Public Administration recipient with Concentrations in Public Affairs from American University in Washington, D.C., President Dawicki has led a distinguished career. With more than 33 years of experience in the maritime industry, his background combines policy and practical expertise with both theoretical policy development and real-world experience. This includes serving in the United States Coast Guard Reserve and the United States Merchant Marine, holding various shipboard positions, ship management specializing in LNG tanker operations, and providing consultancy to private shipping companies, port facilities and governments around the world on domestic and international regulatory instrument compliance.

Presently serving as President of Northeast Maritime Institute (NMI), Dawicki has developed it into the first private maritime college in the history of the United States, offering Maritime Science degrees and continuing education and comprehensive digital learning programs. This includes the development of innovative online learning simulators, training and certification platforms for mariners on a global scale. NMI also serves as a direct support to entities worldwide through the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE). In addition, Mr. Dawicki concurrently serves as Co-Founder, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Dominica Maritime Registry, which has an international network of 28 regional offices and close to 400 vessels, many of which operate across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asian and Black Sea.

President Dawicki’s additional accomplishments include membership to the United States National Maritime Security Advisory Committee during the Obama and Bush Administrations and has served as the Lead Delegate to the United Nations' International Maritime Organization representing both the United States and the Commonwealth of Dominica and was both on the Board of Governors and Executive Governor to the UN’s World Maritime University, chairing it’s thirty-year sustainability plan, which is now successfully operating.

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Meetings

COPE° Webinar – Risks at sea during navigation: Safety vs. security and challenges in the Americas

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