The Netherlands: Westmark’s P-Trap Finalist at Lloyd’s List Awards, Global 2011

Westmark BV’s anti-piracy product, P-Trap®, has been shortlisted for the Lloyd’s List Awards, Global 2011. The ceremony, taking place September 20 in London, is considered the shipping industry’s most acclaimed, credible and well-supported event.

Each year, the Lloyd’s List Awards, Global acknowledge great achievements in shipping. This year the event will address many issues facing the maritime industry, including piracy which poses a serious safety threat to seafarers passing through the Gulf of Aden and other pirate-infested regions.

The P-Trap® will compete within the safety category alongside APM Terminals, UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Mitsui OSK Lines, Pacific Basin Shipping and P&O Ferries.

Westmark BV, based in the Netherlands, created the P-Trap® as a passive non-lethal ship protection measure. Once deployed, it protects seagoing vessels from unwanted boarding attempts by pirates. The reusable system carries thin lines which float at the waterline around the sides and at the stern of a vessel. Pirate skiffs that enter the P-Trap® safety zone will run into the lines, which are designed to become entangled in their engines, disabling their vessel. The P-Trap® is designed to defend against multiple simultaneous attacks and does not require crew involvement once deployed.

Since last year, Westmark has created three prototype systems, designed to fit most seagoing ships. The effectiveness of the system was proven during trials with the Dutch Coastguard, Navy & Rescue Service.

According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), this year, 314 pirate attacks have been reported worldwide; 18 vessels are currently being held by Somali pirates; and 355 seafarers are now being held hostage.

“The P-Trap® concept is as simple as locking your doors and windows before going to bed at night. It’s practical and it makes sense,” said Lodewijk Westerbeek van Eerten, creator of P-Trap®. “The option to lock the perimeter of a ship offers seafarers an extra layer of protection and peace of mind so that they can focus on their core business—the transport of goods.”

Dockwise, a global market leader in the transport of extremely large and heavy cargoes, purchased and tested the system this year on one of its ships. Following three successful transits through the Gulf of Aden using the P-Trap®, Dockwise is expanding the use of the system on board its entire fleet. “We welcome the opportunity to provide additional tools and resources to our crews to reduce the risk of piracy attacks at sea,” said Marco Schut, Dockwise Vice President of Operations.

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Source: Westmark BV, August 25, 2011.