INTERNATIONAL
SHIP & PORT FACILITY SECURITY (ISPS) CODE
THE
AMENDMENTS TO THE 1974 SOLAS CONVENTION, CHAPTER XI
Against
a background of potential threat to maritime shipping and ports, IMO's
Diplomatic conference on Maritime Security in December 2002 adopted
new regulations to enhance maritime security through amendments to SOLAS
Chapter XI. Chapter XI has been split into two chapters, where Chapter
XI-1, "Special measures to enhance maritime safety" has been
expanded to include additional requirements to Ship Identification Numbers
and the carriage of a Continuous Synopsis Record. Chapter XI-2, "Special
measures to enhance maritime security", addresses the mandatory
requirements such as the provision of Ship Alert System and refers to
the ISPS Code.
THE
INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY (ISPS) CODE
Owners
and operators of ships have the primary responsibility for ensuring
the physical security - and safety, indeed - of their ships, and the
new security measures are centred around a proposed ISPS Code. Part
A of the ISPS Code will be mandatory, whereas Part B of the ISPS Code
has been drafted as a guidance and is recommendatory. The regulations
and the ISPS Code will apply to the following ships on international
voyages:
All passenger ships including HSLC ships
All cargo ships and HSLC above 500 gt
MOU in transit.
The Code
will take effect from July 1, 2004.
An important
part of the Code is the way risk is treated: because each ship and each
port facility is different, the Contracting Government shall determine
and set the appropriate security level:
Security Level 1: Normal; the level at which
ships and port facilities normally operate.
Security Level 2: Heightened; the level applying
for as long as there is a heightened risk of security incident.
Security Level 3: Exceptional; the level applying
for the period of time when there is a probable or imminent risk of
a security incedent.
The security
levels create a link between the ship and the port facility since it
triggers the implementation of appropriate security measures for the
ship and the port facility.
HRS is
fully recognized as a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) from 29
Flag Administrations.
HRS as
an RSO is authorized to:
Approve Ship Security Plans
Perform Security audits of ships
Issue the International Ship Security Certificates (ISSC).
Specially
qualified personnel is ready to provide all necessary information instruction
or suggestions uppon a relevant request with high quality standards
and with the constant main objective for safer ships and cleaner sears.
