Wednesday, 24 March 2004  
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Lankan shipping lines, SLPA to enhance security

by Sudarshana Perera

Sri Lanka Ports Authority jointly with local shipping lines have consulted Authorised Classification Societies and the relevant agencies in a bid to introduce the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which will be operational from July 1 at all major ports over the world at the time.

Sri Lanka will upgrade their security detective equipment while introducing enhanced precautionary measures to obtain the ISPS Code. A consultative team comprising port officials, Sri Lankan Navy, Army and Police has been appointed to expedite the process while meeting the set deadline.

The new initiative comes in the wake of the International Maritime Organisation's decision to improve strategies to detect security threats while protecting ships and ports from terrorist attacks. The new code applies to all vessels engaged in international voyages and port facilities serving such ships.

Acting Director, Merchant Shipping, Aberathna Banda said that though the shipping vessels and ports around the country have equipment to face security threats, the new requirements will need certain enhanced protective measures in keeping with international standards.

"The Flag State has authorised some Classifications Societies to evaluate and certify functional requirements for the ISPS code. Some Classifications Societies selected to carry out ISPS evaluations are Germanischer Llyod, Indian Registrar of Shipping and American Ben Veritas", Banda said.

The implementing process will be carried out in three stages with assessment, enhanced capacity and fortified stages. Flag State being the focal point in carrying out this project will ensure that the relevant sectors will be able to meet the deadline", he said.

Our division will make it mandatory for all ships' officers to undergo training and every Sri Lankan ship will have onboard a senior officer designated as Ship Security Officer to coordinate directly with the maritime administration", he said, A spokesman for the Ports Authority said that the Ministry of Port Development and Shipping has drawn up a comprehensive scheme to strengthen maritime security in all the ports in the country.

Each Port which is open to international shipping, will have a designated Port Facility Security Officer to be in charge of security operation, He declined to comment on the specific measures as these directly pertain to security issues.

Ships will be fitted with security alert systems for the concerned authorities to take action in the event of a security threat. A device known as Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) will also be accommodated on Sri Lankan foreign going ships for the purpose of identification by other ships and port states.

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