Best Management Practices 5
Abbreviation: BMP5
Joint industry guidance for protection against ship attacks in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden / Arabian Sea.
In practice
Master conducts BMP5 transit-preparation: register with UKMTO + MSCHOA, harden ship, brief crew on citadel access, plan high-speed transit through high-risk waters.
Regulatory detail & full definition
Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea (BMP5, 2018). Joint industry guidance issued by ICS, BIMCO, OCIMF, INTERTANKO, and INTERCARGO advising masters on planning, communication, ship hardening, citadel preparation, and incident response in the high-risk area. BMP5 emphasises pre-departure registration with UKMTO, MSCHOA, and NSC Bahrain; speed and route planning to avoid ambush; hardening including razor wire, water cannons, citadel access; and post-attack reporting. The guidance is updated periodically as the threat picture evolves.
Authoritative source: OCIMF publications ↗
Related
Source: BMP5 (June 2018) issued by ICS, BIMCO, OCIMF, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade.