Technology designed to help international shipping firms in their fight against pirates has been developed by a north-east firm.
Marine MTS, which specialises in technology and security services for the maritime sector, has launched software to counter the increasing problem of piracy at sea.
Attacks have escalated in recent years, with an estimated 150 hijackings already this year.
The rising number of attacks has led to some commercial shipping companies using escort vessels manned by security teams to enforce an exclusion zone around ships, but Portlethen-based Marine MTS said its software was a non-lethal solution.
The program, called Sentinel, tracks vessels remotely and helps ships to plot a safe course through problem areas.
It also alerts emergency or military services automatically if the vessel suddenly changes course or speed.
Wynne Edwards, managing director of Marine MTS, said: “Sentinel allows the user vessel to be monitored from a land base anywhere in the world, so that no matter where the ship is, its operator or owner can foresee problems that the onboard crew may not be in a position to spot or communicate.
“Until now, the answer to anti-piracy has involved increasing armed presence on board vessels.
“This can escalate the problem in the long term, as data suggests that pirates are undeterred by this greater risk and merely respond by upping their game, given that the reward is still considerable.
“Increased vigilance via technology is a proactive approach that can become a long-term option.”