Post 9/11, the traditional concept of safety of maritime transportation system has changed. The threats at sea arising from terrorism and piracy have assumed significance in view of the determined bids by Jihaditerrorists to engage both military and civil targets by using suicide terrorist tactics. In terms of maritime security, attacks on U.S.S. Coleand French tankerM.V. Limburghave exposed the vulnerability of both warships and merchant shipping. Importantly, the latter attack has highlighted the possibility of terrorists engaging in such attacks to create a long-term slowdown of maritime commerce leading to economic disasters.

There are fears that an LNG (liquefied natural gas) tanker exploding in a seaport could be as devastating as the 9/11 attack in the United States. A VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) or a LNG tanker could be rammed into a major port or a large bomb could be set off by a suicide bomber or via remote control on board a large cruise ship. Terrorism experts believe that terrorist groups are obtaining specific maritime skills, thereby increasing their capability of launching more complex operations. Such fears about the attacks have forced the states to initiate several initiatives to provide greater protection to maritime infrastructure and maritime supply chains.

Energy infrastructure is an attractive target that can be devastated or destroyed with relative ease.