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THE
Baltic International Maritime
Council has expressed its support
the US-led security initiatives
proposed at the recently-concluded
International Maritime Organisation
inter-sessional security meeting in
London.
The
shipping organisation, which has
nearly 2,700 members in 122
countries, has endorsed the
proposals, suggesting that such
initiatives “will serve to protect
ships from being used for terrorist
activity and other crimes”.
Bimco
drew attention to the way in which
the burden for implementing measures
against terrorists has spread from
the ship to the ports with the
compulsion for ports and terminals
to review their security.
Bimco
has encouraged its members to employ
its Shipmasters Security Manual and
provides advice which include IMO
guidelines for the prevention of
drug smuggling, piracy and armed
robbery against ships and stowaways.
The
organisation has stressed the common
features of the fight against these
maritime security problems and that
of countering terrorism.
It
has been suggested that agreements
between customs authorities and
shipowners over drug smuggling could
provide a model for similar
understandings over security issues,
with the exchange of information
between ship operators and customs.
Meanwhile
the World Shipping Council, in
endorsing the initiatives on
security, suggested that the US may
have to consider financial help for
foreign ports in its determination
to tighten up maritime security,
international shipping companies are
warning.
The
World Shipping Council, which
represents 30 major ocean carriers,
is backing moves to create more
secure supply chains through a range
of initiatives covering both
physical checks and more
sophisticated information systems.
The
Council said in order to ensure
dangerous cargoes are not smuggled
in containers, for example,
inspections would have to be
undertaken in the port of loading as
well as on arrival.
At
the IMO Maritime Safety
Committee’s Intersessional Working
Group of Maritime Security in London
two weeks ago, held to discuss
responses to the terrorist menace a
list of measures to improve ship
security emerged.
The
measures will be considered at the
May meeting of the Maritime Safety
Committee (MSC 75), and by
appropriate technical subcommittees
before the holding of a diplomatic
conference on maritime security
scheduled for December.
IMO
itself has moved to reflect the
heightened emphasis on maritime
security by restructuring its
secretariat to provide a consistent
approach to security issues.
The
Navigation Section of the Maritime
Safety Division of IMO has been
redesignated as the Navigational
Safety and Maritime Security
Section.
The
Intersessional meeting, which made
use of a number of proposals by the
United States, agreed to accelerate
the implementation schedule for the
mandatory fitting of Automatic
Identification Systems for all ships
of 500 gt and above on international
voyages.
The
final date will be decided at the
December conference.
It
has been agreed to recommend the
Amendment of Solas Chapter XI to
include special measures for
maritime security.
An
important element in the work is
that on the seafarer identification
document in which urgent action is
specified.
IMO
is approaching the International
Labour Organisation, urging the
latter to attach high priority to
the consideration of identity
documents as a major contribution to
enhanced maritime security.
IMO
hopes that ILO can discuss the
possibilities at its Council meeting
next month, and propose a new
protocol to the ILO Seafarers’
Identity Documents Convention No
108.
The
Maritime Safety Committee will meet
on May 15-24 and is to consider
these recommendations.
The
results of the MSC meeting will then
be submitted for the consideration
of those attending the Diplomatic
Conference on Maritime Security
scheduled for December, at which any
new or amended legislation could be
adopted.
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