Background
Following the tragic events of 11th September 2001, the twenty-second
session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization
(IMO), in November 2001, unanimously agreed to the development
of new measures relating to the security of ships and of port
facilities for adoption by a Conference of Contracting Governments
to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
1974 (known as the Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security)
in December 2002. Subsequently the International Ship and Port
Facility Security (ISPS) Code is developed for the compliance
of the contracting governments. The code is to be globally implemented
on 1 July 2004.
The provision of Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 and the ISPS Code apply
to ships and to port facilities. The extension of SOLAS 74 to
cover port facilities was agreed on the basis that SOLAS 74 offered
the speediest means of ensuring the necessary security measures
entered into force and given effect quickly. It was further agreed
that the provisions relating to port facilities should relate
solely to the ship/port interface. The wider issue of the security
of port areas will be the subject of further joint work between
the International Maritime Organization and the International
Labour Organization.
Objectives of the ISPS Code
- To establish an international framework involving co-operation
between Contracting Governments, local administrations and the
shipping and port industries to detect security threats and
take preventive measures against security incidents affecting
ships or port facilities used in international trade;
- To establish the respective roles and responsibilities of
the Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administrations
and the shipping and port industries, at the national and international
levels for ensuring maritime security;
- To ensure the early and efficient collection and exchange
of security-related information;
- To provide a methodology for security assessments so as to
have in place plans and procedures to react to changing security
levels; and
- To ensure confidence that adequate and proportionate maritime
security measures are in place.
Application of the ISPS Code
The Code applies to:
- The following types of ships engaged on international voyages:
- Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft
- Cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 500 gross
tonnage and upwards
- Mobile offshore drilling units
- Port facilities serving such ships engaged on international
voyages.
Implementation in Hong Kong
Marine Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR) Government has been appointed as the Designated Authority
of Hong Kong to discharge the obligations under the ISPS Code
for ensuring the security of the port as a whole.
The Port Area Security Advisory Committee (PASAC), chaired by
Mr. Roger Tupper, the Deputy Director of Marine, composed of representatives
from the port and shipping communities and other relevant government
agencies was established on 3 July 2003. The PASAC is in essence
a consultative body, which provides advice to the DA on all matters
relating to the implementation of the IMO ISPS Code in HKSAR.
A Port Facility Security Working Group (PFSWG), comprising of
the Hong Kong Police, Customs and Excise Department and Immigration
Department and chaired by Marine Department has been established.
The WG is the DA's executive arm to discharge its obligations
under the Code in relation to port security.
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