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In
the wake of the September 11th
terrorist attacks on the USA and the
subsequent global reaction, the
issue of maritime security featured
strongly at the recently-concluded
22nd Assembly of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), in
London.
The Assembly agreed to hold a
Conference on Maritime Security in
December 2002, to adopt new
regulations to enhance ship and port
security and avert shipping from
becoming a target of international
terrorism.
This
decision followed the adoption of a
resolution put forward by
Secretary-General William O’Neil
on Review of measures and procedures
to prevent acts of terrorism which
threaten the security of passengers
and crews and the safety of
ships.
The
Assembly also agreed to a
significant boost to the
Organization’s technical
co-operation programme of UKŁ1.5
million, to help developing
countries address maritime security
issues.
The
resolution calls for a review of the
existing international legal and
technical measures to prevent and
suppress terrorist acts against
ships at sea and in port and improve
security aboard and ashore.
The
aim is to reduce risks to
passengers, crews and port personnel
on board ships and in port areas and
to the vessels and their cargoes.
Addressing
the Assembly, IMO Secretary-General
O’Neil said that he was “anxious
to ensure that, through prompt
action by IMO under the direction of
the Council and taking into account
the work of other international
organizations, including industry
organizations, necessary technical
and legal measures to prevent and
suppress acts of terrorism directed
against shipping are put in place
without delay.”
O’Neil
said he shared the view of the
United Nations Secretary-General Mr.
Kofi Annan, who, speaking in the
aftermath of the attacks in the
United States, had said that
“there can be no acceptance of
those who would seek to justify the
deliberate taking of innocent
civilian life, regardless of cause
or grievance. If there
is one universal principle that all
peoples can agree on, surely it is
this.”
The
Conference on Maritime Security is
scheduled to meet alongside the
scheduled session of the Maritime
Safety Committee (MSC) in the Autumn
of 2002, and is to consider any new
or amended regulations proposed by
the MSC.
These
would involve the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS) chapter XI on Special
Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety
– the title of which might need to
be amended to include maritime
security. Other amendments might be
proposed in relation to the
International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
An
intersessional Working Group will
meet prior to the conference from 11
to 15 February, well in advance of
the next session of the MSC in May
2002, and will start work on the
review called for in the Assembly
resolution.
It
will prepare a list of subjects to
be further discussed. These
will be forwarded to the MSC and, it
is expected, to the Legal and
Facilitation Committees; consider
proposals and information on
maritime security issues submitted
by Member Governments and
international organizations; and
prepare a work plan and
timeframe.
The
inter-sessional Working Group
meeting, which will be funded by the
United States, will submit a report
to the MSC – which itself will
convene a special Working Group at
its May meeting to progress the work
further.
During
the Assembly, the delegation of the
United States identified a number of
specific areas that it felt should
be considered, including a review of
the issues related to the
installation of automatic
identification systems on ships;
consideration of the need for
security plans on ships, port
facilities and off-shore terminals;
reviewing the need for
identification, verification and
background security checks for
seafarers; and ensuring a secure
“chain of custody” for
containers from their port of origin
to their destination.
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