The new IMO security measures developed to protect international shipping from the threat of terrorism and other unlawful acts came into effect on 1 July 2004.
These new measures, which include the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the new chapter XI-2 amended to the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, are aimed at enhancing maritime security onboard ships and at ship/port and ship-to-ship interface areas and points.
Adopted by a Conference on Maritime Security in December 2002, they represent the first ever internationally agreed regulatory framework addressing the crucial issue of maritime security.
To ensure compliance within the deadline of 1 July 2004, a tremendous effort has been put forward by all involved parties; including Contracting Governments, their agencies and local administrations, and the shipping and port industry, including the Recognised Security Organisations (RSO) authorised by the Contracting Governments to act on their behalf, as is the case for specifically delegated Classification Societies.
Impressive results
The immense effort put forward by all parties has delivered impressive results; ships as well as port facilities affected by the new IMO security measures are now approaching originally intended compliance levels.
Information made available by IMO indicates that 90 percent of the ships that must comply with the new regulatory regime have now obtained International Ship Security Certificates (ISSC) documenting their compliance with the Code. DNV has, as RSO, contributed with approval of Ship Security Plans and shipboard verification of the security systems for more than 2,730 ships - a number that is still increasing.
Ports are also moving steadily towards compliance. According to the latest figures made available by IMO, close to 90 percent of approximately 9,000 declared port facilities now have their Port Facility Security Plans (PFSPs) approved. The implementation status is, however, more uncertain as the ISPS Code, in contrast to what is required in the ISPS certification process for ships, does not require documentation or reporting of implementation verification of port facility security systems in order to be considered by IMO as 'compliant' with the Code. Contracting governments determine the means of certifying, or otherwise recognising, final implementation verification.
Slow starters
Despite the overall optimism over the implementation levels for port facilities, there are geographical areas and individual countries that have not been as rapid in establishing compliance levels as might be hoped. Africa is falling behind other continents, with barely half of the 30 countries in the continent to which the Code applies reporting approved port security plans. Also, countries in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe appear slow to implement the measures.
However, when evaluating the success of the ISPS Code security implementation process, it should be remembered that the prime objective of efforts that have been put forward has been to increase awareness of the threat of terrorism and other unlawful acts, such as piracy, and to improve the shipping industry's ability to protect itself from such acts by persons or organisations whose intent is to disrupt, damage, or take undesired advantage of international maritime trade.
Through the implementation of the ISPS Code and the related training in understanding the code, its background and implications, there has been a long step forward in the achievement of the objectives. Looking forward, what is now important is to ensure that the shipping industry's ability to protect itself from acts of terrorism and other criminal activity continues to increase and improve in well-balanced harmony with efficient global seaborne trade.