WHAT´S NCAGS?
NCAGS (Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping) is a NATO concept that was born in 2003 to replace the former NCS (Naval Control of Shipping). Unlike NCS, NCAGS is based on the voluntary cooperation by civilian ships.
Maritime trade is of fundamental strategic interest to nations; indeed, economic wealth depends on the ability to trade, which in turn depends upon freedom of navigation. The Alliance's capability for operations involving merchant shipping is naval cooperation and guidance for shipping (NCAGS), with its associated tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Merchant shipping will usually follow operational commanders' guidance or advice on a voluntary basis. Only in specific circumstances, depending on flag-state decisions, will operational commanders be authorized to exercise measures of control over merchant ships. The operational commander will consequently usually rely on two factors to ensure that merchant shipping follows guidance and advice. First, it will often be in the self-interest merchant shipping to do so. Second, merchant shipping can be influenced through building relationship of trust. NCAGS makes an important contribution to building such trust through collaboration, cooperation, and understanding of merchant shipping operations
Two important conclusions derive from this concept:
1. NCAGS is only meaningful when a military force carries out operations within a geographical area (AOO - Area of Operations) which is transited through by civilian shipping.
2. This cooperation system pursues coordinating, synchronizing and de-conflciting the activities carried out within the AOO by both military forces and civilian shipping.
NATO has released a non-classified publication which covers the relationship with civilian shipping. The publication ATP-02.1(A)(1)- NAVAL CO-OPERATION AND GUIDANCE FOR SHIPPING MANUAL (NCAGS) - GUIDE TO OWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS, is placed on the bottom of this page (to download; right click - save target as)
DOWNLOAD FORMAT ALFA (MS EXCEL FORMAT): Format ALFA in Excel format
Download: ATP-02.1(A)(1)
For more information: NATO Shipping Centre
WHO´S BENEFITED BY NCAGS?
NATO has established NCAGS to support military operations which may influence on civilian shipping. NCAGS will provide support to military commanders and civilian shipping in peacetime, tension, crisis and conflict.
Benefits for civilian shipping are:
1. Enhanced safety and security.
2. Reduced delays when transiting through military areas of operation.
3. Continued operation of commercial maritime transport system.
4. Improved threat response.
5. Enhanced understanding of military constraints.
6. Potential for reduced war-risk premiums.
Benefits for military Commanders are:
1. A more comprehensive picture of merchant shipping activity, movements and positions.
2. Reduced interference between commercial shipping and military operations (deconfliction).
3. Enhanced safety and security.
4. Improved effectiveness of military operations.
5. Enhanced understanding of commercial shipping constraints.
6. Improved counter-terrorism capability.