Mexico Sends National Guards to Border to Stop Migrants.
ASHER: Hello, everyone, I'm Zain Asher, there's more QUEST MEANS BUSINESS in a moment. When the shipping industry warns an increase in attacks is an urgent problem. And Tyson Foods gets in on the fake meat craze with the chicken free chicken nugget. Before that though, these are the headlines we're following for you at this hour. The U.S. is blaming Iran for attacks on two tankers today in the Gulf of Oman. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was too sophisticated for any proxy group in the region to pull off, but he didn't offer evidence for the claim. Both crews were rescued, the UN Security Council meets next hour on the attacks. Amanda Knox is back in Italy for the first time since her acquittal on murder charges there in 2011. She'll be there -- Knox spent four years in prison for the murder of fellow student Meredith Kercher. Media outlets made a sensation of her trial over years of hearings and appeals. Mexican officials say they're acting quickly to send National Guard forces to their southern border as part of a negotiated agreement to avoid U.S. tariff increases. Mexico agreed to reduce the flow of Central American immigrants to the United States. The deal gives Mexico 45 days to show results. Returning now to our top story, the second major attack in a month along the world's busiest oil shipping route. The U.S. is blaming Iran for sabotaging two tankers sailing along the Gulf of Oman. The incident has shaken energy markets, sending crude oil prices climbing. Industry leaders warn the increase in attacks and escalated threats are an urgent concern. Joining me live now from London, Jakob Larsen is the head of Maritime Security for BIMCO; the world's largest international shipping association. So Jakob, thank you so much for being with us. So just in terms of in-ness --</s>JAKOB LARSEN, HEAD, MARITIME SECURITY, BIMCO: Thank you --</s>ASHER: Climber of extreme geopolitical tensions, what can shipping companies do to keep seafarers safe?</s>LARSEN: Well, shipping companies can take a number of steps to reduce the risk to the ships and crew. One step which is often mentioned is of course to completely stay away from the area. And of course, that's an option, but it's not an option that many ship owners really want to take. And you could say that, if you did that, you would also sort of give the wind to those that are trying to interrupt international trade. So, I think most ship owners, they are looking to the advice that we and I think other associations put out. So watch that way you're going. When you're in port, use your propellers randomly, use your bow thrusters(ph), use your eco-sounder to create a lot of disturbance so as to avoid vintage mines being put onboard the vessel. And when you're at sea, keep extra lookout, keep close dialogue with the military authorities. There's a voluntary reporting area established for the whole region which is administered by the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations, and we encourage all our members and international shipping generally to follow the recommendations and report to U.K. MTO so they can have veto which is as good as possible.</s>ASHER: And you know, this might seem extreme. But if tensions get that much worse, can you see a future whereby certain tankers are escorted by military Naval vessels?</s>LARSEN: Yes, I think that's a -- there's percentage in that. I mean, there's something that we have seen before in the aftermath of the Iran -- Iraq war. Back in the '80s, we saw this scenario unfolding in the Persian Gulf and it might just happen again. It all depends on what the next steps are from the U.S. and whomever is behind these attacks.</s>ASHER: So just in terms of when an attack actually happens, what procedures are there in place? I mean, I'm sure that a lot of shipping companies I assume are somewhat prepared for this sort of worst-case scenario.</s>LARSEN: Yes, I think most ship owners, they have their emergency response plans. It's all radiate, part of what you are required to have in accordance with international regulations, so most ship owners have this in place and they drill these scenarios regularly. So for a ship owner going into this area, I think the prudent thing is to really look into what are the risks and what would happen to the vessel in case it's struck by a shell, a missile or a mine or whatever has actually hit these vessels. You can take certain steps, you can keep your crew above the water line, you can ensure that the watertight integrity of the vessel is as good as possible, and you go in, and as I said before also keep sharp lookout and then keep the -- keep a liaison with the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations.</s>ASHER: So when you have a situation whereby 30 percent of the world's oil suppliers travel through the Strait of Hormuz, you know, if tensions increase significantly, you know, what does that mean for global trade?</s>LARSEN: Yes, what we have seen already is a spike in the oil prices, and if tensions continue, oil prices will probably go up a bit further. And we all know that this hampers the general economic activity in the world, and that again has an influence on production, which again influences on world trade. So that's a big concern. That aside, of course, the tanker industry, all the oil tankers operating in the area, they would be particularly concerned with the scenario we are seeing right now and with the potential scenarios we see for the future.</s>ASHER: All right, Jakob Larsen live for us there, thank you so much, appreciate it. All right, still to come, Boris Johnson is one step closer to taking up residence at number 10 Downing Street. Have a report from London for you after the break.