"Port Security"

Essential Documents & Links

1. List of compliant ports with the ISPS Code                   (IAPH member ports and those affiliated)

2. IAPH Question & Answer Board *
(* contents posted in the Members Area are only accessible by IAPH members with User ID and Password)

Established in the Members Area of the IAPH website, this online Q&A Board promotes the sharing and exchanging relevant information on the implementation of the ISPS Code. Please click here to join in discussion.

3. IAPH Port Security Bulletin *
(* contents posted in the Members Area are only accessible by IAPH members with User ID and Password)

In the wake of the tragic events of 11 September 2001 in the USA, IAPH has actively participated in IMO's meetings to explore ways and means to prevent and suppress acts of terrorism against ships at sea and in ports.

In January 2002, IAPH initiated an email-based discussion that was known as "IAPH Port Security Bulletin" to solicit from its member ports relevant information and experience on the development of port-related safety and security measures.

As a result of the revision of the IMO’s SOLAS and the introduction of International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code at the Diplomatic Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the SOLAS, December 2002, the IAPH Port Security Bulletin was reactivated in April 2003 to share relevant information and experience on the current status of preparations toward implementing the ISPS Code.

4. IAPH Position Papers

As a collective voice of the world port industry, IAPH has officially submitted relevant comments, proposals and position papers to IMO. The followings are such examples. Upon acceptance by IMO, IAPH position papers were circulated as official IMO documents within its framework.

• "Guidance for the Development of Ship and Port Security Plans" - IAPH/ICS Joint Submission to the IMO's MSC 75th Session, May 15- 24, 2002
• "IAPH Policy & Guidance Paper on Port & Maritime Security" (issued at the IAPH Board of Directors Meeting, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 20-24 April 2002)

NB: Both papers were prepared as generic guidelines for port authorities to develop their respective security plans, taking into full account individual unique conditions in and around their ports.

5. IAPH Liaison Officer Reports on IMO meetings

• IMO's Maritime Safety Committee Intersessional Working Group on Maritime Security, London, February 11-15
• IMO's Maritime Safety Committee, 75th Session, London, May 15-24

6. IMO Documents

• "Draft MSC Resolution - Control and Compliance Measures to Enhance Maritime Security", Maritime Safety Commitee, 78th Session, Agenda Item 7 (MSC78/7/Add.1, 22 March 2004)
• Information Resources on International Maritime Security and ISPS Code [Information Sheet No.32 - Last Updated 27 May 2004]
• "Measures to Enhance Maritime Security" - Report of the second Intersessional meeting of the MSC Working Group on Maritime Security, 9 to 13 September 2002.
  (Reference: Maritime Safety Committee, 76th session, Agenda item 4/ MSC 76/4/1, 25 September 2002, English)
  
• "International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities" - Revised text of proposed Part B of the draft ISPS Code prepared by the Chairman of the ISWG and the IMO secretariat (Reference: Maritime Safety Committee, 76th session, Agenda item 4/ MSC 76/4/1/Add.1, 8 October 2002, English)
• "Co-operative G8 Action on Transport Security - text of an initiative on Co-operative G8 Action on Transport Security, as endorsed by the G8 Leaders at their summiot in Kananaskis, alberta, Canada on 26 - 27 June 2002 and submited to IMO by Canada as Chair of the G8.

Notes from the IAPH Secretariat on the above IMO documents    

* Member ports are invited to deem these documents as the most likely basis of port security measures to be installed at your port but strictly at the guidance and initiatives for implementation to be specified by the regulatory bodies on security affairs of your country or region.
* It is understood that these documents, though subject to some minor changes or alterations, will be formalized by the IMO in December 2002.
* Therefore, the time is extremely limited for anybody to reflect one's voice, supportive or not, to the substance of these documents. Therefore, should you find it imperative to submit your side of views, you are kindly advised to appeal, but in time, to your national or regional regulatory authorities who are indeed a signatory body of the IMO and attend the IMO Sessions in December 2002.
* Mr. Fer van de Laar, Chair, IAPH Committee on Port Environment, Safety and Marine Operations (PSEMO), Port of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, who has been involved in the IAPH's participation in the IMO initiatives on port security since last year, calls your attention to Section 3.61 though 3.69 of the ISWG (MSC 76/4/1) in view of more direct implication to your Port. * According to Mr. van de Laar, the same documents have been circulated to the members of the IAPH/IMO Interface Group as well as the members of the PSEMO in preparation for the IMO's December Meeting.

7. International Labour Organization (ILO) ducuments

• darft "Code of Practice on Security in Ports"
• draft "Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Ports"

* According to ILO, the above Codes of Practice have not yet been examined by the Governing Body of the ILO in accordance with established procedures and therefore cannot be considered as definitive.

8. IAPH working closely with IMO

Mr. Ferry van de Laar, Chair of IAPH Committee on Port Safety, Environment & Marine Operations (PSEMO), and Mr. Peter van der Kluit, IAPH Liaison Officer with IMO, attended the IMO's MSC 75 (75th Session) meeting in London, May 15-24, 2002. For its report, please click here!

For the latest developments at IMO, please click here!

9. Other Useful Resource Links

• AAPA - Port Security Updates
• ICS - maritime security
• BIMCO - Comfronting terrorism on all fronts
• US Maritime Transport Security Act 2002 (Click on "Legislation & Records" and search under "Bill Search" by typing in "S1214" and you will find "S1214.ENR")

10. Other Relevant Information

• "New Measures for Maritime Security Aboard Ships & in Port Facilities" - a paper by Capt. Dr. Peter Heathcote, Regional Maritime Legal Advisor, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (Suva, Fiji)