The Spanish Navy organizes a Shipping Control exercise along the whole Spanish coast.

The Spanish Navy is conducting a Shipping Control exercise (or a ‘Naval Co-operation and Guidance for Shipping’ [NCAGS] exercise as it is officially known) as part of the Maritime Security exercise MARSEC-20 from September 14 to 25 along the entire Spanish coast and adjacent waters, including the Canary and Balearic archipelagos.

The main objective of the exercise is to train personnel in the procedures for cooperation with ships and agencies responsible for shipping issues, including all national and international actors at sea.

The Staff of the Admiral of Maritime Action, the Naval Command of the Canary Islands, and the subordinate commands of the naval delegations in Ferrol, Cadiz and Cartagena participate in the exercise. To assist in the development of the exercise, 18 volunteer reservists have been activated.

The scenario contemplates the practice of shipping control procedures in a threat situation against the main sea lines of communication (SLOCS) and national ports, simulating the presence of possible threats related to piracy and terrorism, among others, in addition to cyberattacks on the facilities responsible for civilian traffic control and the broadcast of notices to mariners.

Shipping Control personnel will respond to the fictitious incidents, and will take the necessary measures such as the activation of safe corridors, the simulated protection of ships by naval forces, or the declaration of exclusion or restricted zones to navigation due to security incidents.

During the exercise, a permanent collaboration is maintained with the ships that wish to participate, which includes the exchange of information by Telematic means and port visits as well as the monitoring of more than 30 merchant vessels.