TRIESTE – A maritime security exercise in recent days involved the San Marco Marine Brigade, the Italian Navy and shipping company Ignazio Messina & C. aboard the container ship Jolly Argento, operating in the eastern Mediterranean as part of Operation Safe Mediterranean (OMS).
The activity saw a specialised team from the San Marco Marine Brigade reach the merchant vessel while under way by fast-roping from an SH-90 helicopter, while an Italian Navy frigate, the frigate Marceglia, operated nearby ready to provide support. A light RHIB landing craft also took part in the operations, with security and recovery duties.
The exercise was carried out without interrupting the ship’s commercial activity. Jolly Argento maintained its normal sailing speed throughout the operational phase, minimising the impact on the voyage schedule.
Once on board, the military personnel carried out document checks on the cargo and crew, simulating the procedures required in the event of inspections and security checks. The entire operation was completed in around two hours, with no irregularities detected. The initiative is particularly significant in an international context marked by growing tensions and risks to commercial shipping. Recent crises affecting some of the world’s main maritime routes have brought the issue of merchant ship security and cooperation between civilian operators and armed forces back to the centre of attention.
