Norient extends contract with risk and security planning service

The Norient Product Pool has renewed its access to Risk Intelligence’s security products and services, including MaRisk+PortRisk and bespoke services designed to support the pool’s maritime security preparedness activities globally.

Norient Product Pool ApS is a limited company registered in Denmark and owned by Dampskibsselskabet Norden A/S. Norient Product Pool commercially manages 100 product tankers from 37,000 to 55,000 dwt worldwide. It is operated from its head office in Denmark and its offices in Singapore, USA and Cyprus.

Dampskibsselskabet Norden’s chief security officer Flemming Dahl Jensen said “Risk Intelligence is a global and proven provider of maritime intelligence and we look forward to continuing our close co-oporation with the company going forward.”

Risk Intelligence sales director Jan Michelsen said “The significant contract extension with one of the world’s leading product tanker pools for the Risk Intelligence System as well as bespoke services underlines our ambition to be a trusted security partner to our clients and proactively discuss and advise clients on security-related activities that may support commercial opportunities wherever they decide to trade.”

In a recent analysis of the situation in the Middle East, Risk Intelligence has designated the Middle East Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as high risk areas. It notes that Iran is central to the current situation but has not claimed particular responsibility. “Despite many allegations, there is no definitive proof for the involvement of Iranian forces in the attacks off Fujairah and in the Gulf of Oman” notes Risk Intelligence before reiterating that Iran is the most likely actor through proxies, if not directly.

Risk Intelligence offers three possible scenarios in the Middle East Gulf region:

1. The most likely scenario is that the current situation remains tense, but there are no major changes in the position on either side of the political dispute between the United States – along with its Arab allies – and Iran. Impact = continued attacks on tankers.
2. A less likely but still possible scenario is that US forces in the region carry out limited strikes against targets in Iran, leading to retaliatory strikes against the US military and its Arab allies. Impact = an increased threat for tanker operations.
3. An unlikely scenario is that the European Union is successful with lobbying efforts to keep the nuclear deal in place and continues to negotiate with Iran’s Government. The US Government abandons the current hardline stance towards Iran and is prepared to once again lift the sanctions, based on limited concessions from Iran’s Government. Impact = the threat in the area is lowered.