Brussels, 02/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - Since 1 July, the new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) security measures, decided following the attacks of September 11 and adopted in December 2002, have been in force. According to an IMO study, however, ships and port facilities of its member states do not yet all conform with the new measures. The organisation is till optimistic and is appealing to member states to step up their efforts.
The new IMO security measures, the international ship and port facility security (ISPS) code and the amendments to the SOLAS Convention apply to all merchant ships with a capacity equal to or exceeding 500 tons and to port facilities. They notably require the appointment of an on-board security officer for all vessels and all operators, a clearly identified person responsible for security in every port, and an alert system capable of warning operators in case of danger (terrorist attack, act of piracy etc) on every vessel.
According to information provided by member states of the IMO, which represents around 80% of the world's merchant fleet, "more than 86% of ship sand 69% of port facilities had their security plans approved by 1 July 2004 and the figures are rapidly rising", as was said in a communication from the organisation. However, only 56% of security certificates have been issued so far, the communication continues. According to the Secretary-General of the IMO, Efthimios Mitropoulos, without the "administrative bottlenecks" in the run up to the date of entry into force of these measures, the figure "would have been higher". He is also optimistic about future efforts on the part of governments and industry.
Mr Mitropoulos did, however, emphasise that the final goal "is not only to be 100 per cent compliant but also to create the necessary security culture and raise our defences so high that the shipping industry does not become a target for terrorist activities".