THE PACIFIC RESPONDS TO MARITIME SECURITY CHALLENGE

New maritime security procedures are to come into force around the world on 1 July this year, as nations put into place new measures, mandated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under amendments to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), along with the new International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, which will apply to passenger ships, and cargo ships of 500 tons or more, that are engaged in international voyages.  These new measures were prompted by the events of 11 September 2001, but have been underlined by the Bali bombings, which targeted Australians; the attacks on British interests in Istanbul; and, more recently, the Madrid train bombings. Recent events in Afghanistan and Iraq indicate that the world can expect more terror attacks in the future.

The new legal arrangements were agreed upon at a diplomatic conference held in London in December 2002. It was felt that, while security at airports was efficient, security at ports and aboard ships was relatively poor by comparison. It was also thought that, while terrorists may yet still hijack aircraft for political aims, the use of an aircraft as a weapon was now a low probability, given the new security measures aboard aircraft.  However, terrorists, their weapons and equipment could easily enter a country by means of a ship. Containers are anonymous and their contents unknown.  Terrorists could be among crewmembers who “jump ship” before the ship sails.  New terrorist cells, complete with destructive devices, could be put in place in most countries of the world without anyone knowing.

Almost all Pacific Island countries have already started making their arrangements to comply with the new SOLAS measures and with the new ISPS Code. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been generous in providing funding and assistance to the maritime programme of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to assist the following countries in this regard – Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Palau, Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati.

The reason for the urgency is that all the legal requirements, physical infrastructure, systems and personnel, must be in place no later than 1 July 2004, when these international measures come into force.

The new ISPS Code requires shipping companies to appoint Company Security Officers, and designate a Ship Security Officer on board each ship.  Together they are required to conduct a Ship Security Assessment and develop a unique Ship Security Plan.  The Maritime Administration of the country can then issue an International Ship Security Certificate.  Ports must also appoint a Port Security Officer, and this officer, together with other officials, is to conduct a Port Security Assessment and develop a Port Security Plan for each port.  When this has been approved by the State, the port will be issued with a Statement of Compliance.  Ship and port security assessments must be carried out using appropriate resource people.   The prescribed methods for assessing any national security threat must be followed.  Any new measures must be supported by legislation or regulations that authorise implementation of the new measures.

What happens to those States who, for one reason or other cannot, or do not wish to, comply?  International conventions carry no penalties for non-compliance.  Generally, it is the Contracting States to the Convention that enforce international rules against their own ships or, when allowed, against ships from other countries whose ships are in their ports.  In the case of the ISPS Code, failure of a port to comply will mean that a ship on an international voyage will just skip over the non-compliant port, since it would not wish to jeopardise the integrity of its own security.  In the case of a ship that does not comply, a port that does comply would not want the ship to enter the port and compromise its security.  If this were to happen, then it could severely disrupt trade in the region.

Captain Dr Peter Heathcote is certain that the vast majority of ports in Pacific Island countries will be able to comply by the deadline, as will ships engaged on international voyages that trade within the region or internationally.  He has seen a great sense of commitment and professionalism among officials in Ports Authorities and Maritime Administrations in many countries within the region.  They want to be able to meet their country’s international commitments, and with this sort of positive attitude, he is sure they will.

The following papers provide more information on Maritime Security:

	New Measures for Maritime Security aboard Ships and in Port Facilities
	Maritime Security in Samoa
	Maritime Security in FSM
	Maritime Security Feb 2003