In addition to being the principle clearinghouse for the exchange of information between its members , the MSC  also acts as a liaison with regulators and governments, offering vital intelligence on crimes at sea and information to assist with national and international anti-drug efforts.

As a consequence of this role, the MSC assisted in the development of the Sea Carrier Initiative and Super Carrier Programs and actively participates in international activities with the U.S. Drug Control Program, World Customs Organization, BASC and BIMCO.  

As a result of its successful assistance to government, the MSC was the proud recipient of the U.S. Vice President's National Performance Review (or "Hammer Award"), and has been a maritime security advisor to The White House, National Security Council, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

In 2000, the Maritime Security Council was appointed as the Technical Advisor to the U.S. State Department's Overseas Security Advisory Council on maritime security issues. The MSC has also served as an advisor to INTERPOL, the international police organization.

The MSC provided input and assisted in the drafting of the U.S. Maritime Port Security Act of 2001, one of the most important pieces of legislation presented over the last decade and has been called upon numerous times to provide expert testimony to both the U.S. House and Senate.

In 2002, the U.S. passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act and the MSC was specifically named within the legislation as resource for the Secretary to consult in developing proper maritime security training standards under the new law.

The MSC also partnered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) initiative and assisted in writing the regulations for C-TPAT for Sea Carriers.  The MSC also provided assistance to the IMO in  the development of global improvements for security of vessels and ports.

In 2007, the MSC became the industry representative on the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) Council, where it promotes the exchange of information and intelligence within the maritime industry and with other critical infrastructures.

The MSC meets twice a year, with an annual conference in the fall in Washington D.C. and a spring meeting at various locations throughout the United States. At these meetings, MSC members participate in extensive maritime briefings from federal and regional law enforcement, defense, and intelligence agencies as well as presentations on such diverse topics as problem ports, foreign crimes and terrorism threats, fines and penalties legislation, pending security regulations, recently encountered smuggling and stowaway techniques, maritime security products, to name only a few. The meetings also feature educational seminars and technology exhibits which display the latest in maritime security devices and services.

Throughout the year, members are kept up-to-date with MSC's exclusive daily Maritime Security Alert e-mail service.  An MSC Alert provides urgent and timely information on such matters as hostile vessel seizures and hazardous port conditions - information that can be vital to the safe operation of commercial vessels.

Since its inception, the MSC's sole purpose is to represent the interests of the maritime industry on security issues and we continue to do so today.  In the future, the MSC plans to continue its development of a maritime-specific ISAC, develop a Maritime Security Professional Certification program, and offer the highest level of support for its members.