28 October 2004
U.S. Sponsors Conference on Port, Vessel Security in the Americas
Will ease compliance with International Ship and Port Security Code
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will sponsor a three-day conference to provide guidance and training on the implementation of the International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to an agency press release.
Under U.S. law, ships that do not have a plan in place to comply with the ISPS Code requirements may not enter U.S. waters. In addition, ports that do not comply may not serve as origin or transit points for vessels entering U.S. ports, the USTDA noted.
The new security requirements, which came into force July 1, are intended to deter the unauthorized introduction of dangerous substances or devices --- especially those likely to injure or kill people or damage or destroy ships and facilities --- into vessels or ports.
Requirements include designating security officers, conducting security assessments, developing security plans, providing security training, instituting access control, designating restricted areas, implementing ship/facility interfaces and conducting security monitoring.
The USTDA indicated that U.S. government officials and private-sector representatives will work with representatives from 25 ports in 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries at the November 10-12 event in Jacksonville, Florida.
Following is the text of the USTDA press release:
(begin text)
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2004
USTDA Sponsors Conference on Latin American and Caribbean Vessel and Port Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Implementation and certification of the International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code in Latin America and the Caribbean region is the focus of an upcoming three-day conference. The event, sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), will take place at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 10-12, 2004.
The ISPS Code imposes detailed security-related requirements for governments, port authorities and shipping companies to follow, together with a series of guidelines on how to fulfill them. Each government must first conduct ship and port facility assessments to identify and evaluate critical infrastructures, as well as those structures that, if damaged, could cause significant loss of life, or economic or environmental damage. Under U.S. law, vessels that do not have a plan in place to comply with ISPS Code requirements may not enter U.S. waters. Moreover, any port that does not comply with ISPS regulations cannot serve as a point of origin and/or transit point for vessels entering U.S. ports.
The USTDA-funded conference is designed to provide guidance and training to representatives from 25 ports in 13 different Latin American and Caribbean countries on the operation and security of ports and vessels. U.S. Government officials and private-sector representatives will be present to provide guidance on the development and implementation of security plans and to showcase goods, services and technologies available to help address ISPS Code requirements.
For more information, or to register for the event, please visit the conference website at www.rsvpregister.com/event.php?683. Representatives of the media interested in obtaining press credentials for the event should contact Robert Ulrich at rulrich@han-padron.com.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=October&x=20041028123144ASrelliM0.6560938&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
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