Khan tightens Maritime security

Works Minister Franklyn Khan said yesterday the new and comprehensive regime for international shipping, which will be enacted in July 2004, “will serve to strengthen maritime security and prevent and suppress acts of terrorism against shipping.”

Speaking at a seminar on Port and Ship Facility Security at the Port Authority Building, Dock Road, Khan stated that it has always been the Ministry’s aim to ensure the safety of life and property at sea, as well as the protection of the marine environment from pollution from ships. He revealed that in December 2002 Government had adopted new provisions to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to enhance maritime security. “These new requirements form the international framework through which ships and port facilities can co-operate to detect and deter acts which threaten security in the maritime transport sector,” Khan claimed. Stating that the International Maritime Organisation had come to the realisation that ships must be made less vulnerable to threats both at sea and while in port, Khan reiterated, “Safety and security are closely linked.”

The administration department of the Maritime Services Division has been charged with the responsibility of enforcing the SOLAS Convention in approving security plans, performing security audits of ships and issuing International Ship Security Certificates (ISSC). However, Khan said the implementation of these provisions will require the effective co-operation and understanding of all involved, including ship personnel, port personnel, passengers, cargo interests, as well as  ship and port management. Khan concluded by urging local companies and ships to take appropriate steps to increase awareness of the potential dangers so that their crews would be extremely vigilant and alert to any security threat that they may encounter.