MarAd issued an advisory stating that a NATO Shipping Center in support of merchant shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea has been established in Northwood, UK. According to MarAd, the NATO Shipping Center (NSC) in Northwood will continue to support NATO Naval forces deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean and has recently activated the NSC due to the recent incidents between Israel and Hezbollah. The NSC was activated to provide advice and guidance to NATO nation merchant ships.
The purpose of activating the NSC is to collect and distribute information relevant for the safe passage of vessels in the area off the coast of Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean. NSC will compile a situational plot and contribute this information to the NATO Military Commander in the area. Reporting of shipping data is on a voluntary basis.