Timely discussion on safety of Maritime Navigation

A national seminar on the Implementation of the 2005 Convention on Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA Convention) commenced recently at the Mahapola Training Institute at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

This seminar is jointly organised by the International Maritime Organization and the Merchant Shipping Division of the Ministry of Ports and Aviation.

The chief guest at the inauguration Ceremony was Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Aviation Tilak Collure. Several foreign experts in the field of Maritime Security are scheduled to make presentations at this seminar. Senior Legal Officer and head of the International Maritime Law and Technical Co-operation Division of the IMO Christopher Young, will make a presentation on the SUA Treaties Background and Legal Framework.

The IMO’s Consultant in Maritime Security Frank Wall, will speak on The SUA Conventions and Protocols 1988 and 2005 and on the topic Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Security - SOLAS Chapter x1-2 and the ISPS code Lieutenant Commander Rachael Bralliar, the Deputy Chief of the Operations Law Group in the Office of Maritime and International Law at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. will address on the Categories of Officers in the 1988 SUA Convention as Expanded in the 2005 Protocol and on Preventing and Defeating Terrorism at Sea.

During this seminar, the SUA Convention and its 2005 protocol will be discussed in detail and the current global piracy incidents and the methods adopted in suppressing them will be analysed to an extent permissible by the short duration of time available.

It is hoped that this seminar will bring about a greater awareness of the perils faced by seafarers and their ships due to piracy/terrorism and the appropriate counter measures which must be taken by each and every stake holder in the industry.