September 11 attacks legacy impacts global trade and security

Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the event continues to influence global systems, particularly in maritime trade and security. While aviation security saw immediate and highly visible changes, the maritime sector underwent a profound and cumulative transformation. Because 90 percent of global trade is conducted by sea, the attacks prompted a shift from a system based on trust and paper manifests to one defined by rigorous vetting and physical security.

A major regulatory response was the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, adopted by the IMO in 2002 and implemented in 2004. This code required ports and ships to conduct security assessments and appoint dedicated security officers, treating maritime hubs as strategic assets.

The attacks, carried out by the Al-Qaeda terrorist network, targeted the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, resulting in the deaths of 2,977 people. The tragedy involved the hijacking of commercial flights, including American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, which struck the Twin Towers in New York.