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Port Security
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the
USA on September 11, 2001, IAPH had started
addressing the issue of port security in
closer cooperation with the world maritime
community and the United Nations agencies
concerned. As a consequence, a comprehensive
global maritime security regime entered into
force on 1 July 2004 - the amended 1974 SOLAS
(Safety of Life at Sea Convention) and the
ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility
Security) Code at the initiative of International
Maritime Organization (IMO).
Toward achieving a safer and more reliable
maritime transportation, IAPH has extensively
cooperated with and assisted IMO in exploring
ways and means to suppress acts of terrorism
in ports by proactively participating in
IMO's relevant meetings and submitting to
IMO its views and positions representing
the world port industry on a regular basis.
IAPH respects and urges the implementation
of security measures in accordance with relevant
IMO regulations. Bearing in mind that security
is of utmost importance, IAPH also maintains
that security measures in practice should
not hinder an efficient and smooth flow of
goods in international trade.
<IAPH Secretary General's letter (Nov 2003) to IMO Secretary General>
IMO/ILO Code of Practice on Security in Ports
was a tangible example, into which IAPH's
knowledge and experience on port security
was incorporated. IAPH is of the opinion
that the Code is important in that it addresses
and defines port security in the entire port
area beyond the ship/port interface. IAPH
as a member of the drafting group for the
Code participated in the ILO workshop for
promoting the use of the Code in October
of 2004 (Turin, Italy) by sending a lecturer
as well as three individuals selected from
among developing member ports. According
to a survey conducted by UNCTAD in the aftermath
of one and a half year of the Code implementation,
nearly all responding ports use the Code
of Practice to supplement the ISPS Code for
implementation of comprehensive security
measures in port area.
More recently, IAPH endorses a holistic approach
to the implementation of security measures,
not only confined to the port and shipping,
but also encompassing the entire logistics
chain or supply chain, in particular by participating
in the working group of the World Customs
Organization (WCO) for actual implementation
of a new scheme called "Framework of
Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global
Trade". A comprehensive global maritime
security regime entered into force on 1 July
2004 EEstrong> the amended 1974 SOLAS
(Safety of Life at Sea Convention) and the
ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility
Security) Code at the initiative of International
Maritime Organization (IMO).
