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PORT SECURITYInitial position

Following the events of September 11th

2001, a number of proposals have been presented by the

US to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to improve security in seaports both in theUS as well as in Europe.

These proposals were discussed by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee at its Intersessional

Working Group of Maritime Security and it is understood that the Maritime Safety Committee

will meet again on May 15-24 to consider these proposals. The results of the MSC meeting willthen be submitted for the consideration of those attending the Diplomatic Conference on

Maritime Security scheduled for December this year, at which any new or amended legislation

could be adopted.

It is in the light of the upcoming discussions in IMO that FEPORT presents the following

comments and ideas to the subject of port security.

GeneralFEPORT is of the opinion that it is essential to take a closer look at port and maritime security.

It should, however, be stressed that measures should be taken at an international level in order to

achieve a realistic level of safety. FEPORT welcomes therefore the efforts of the Commission totake action at IMO level.

It should further be emphasised that unilateral action by the US is not acceptable.

Furthermore, account should be taken of the fact that a balance should be found between arealistic level of maritime security and the impact of security measures on maritime traffic.

As to the type of measures to be taken to improve security in seaports, FEPORT would like toaccentuate the following points.

Port security planIn order to address security problems in a proper way, it is important to set out the lines along

which port security can be achieved. This should be done in a well developed port security plan.

This is not merely a responsibility for terminal operators, but is a shared responsibility of the port

as a whole and of the logistic chain.

FEPORT would like to stress the importance of integrating measures on port security into

existing plans for drug trafficking, theft etc. From our point of view it would be highly inefficientto create two separate plans.

Main points to be included in such a port security plan are the following.

 Risk assessment 

As a basis for taking measures it would be important for all terminals to carry out risk assessments. Moreover, these assessments already form part of normal procedure in a number of 

companies.

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 Through informed risk assessments the most vulnerable places (either physical or organisational)

of the terminal can be established. Based on this risk assessment, appropriate measures adapted to

the size and needs of the terminal can be taken to ensure a sufficient level of security, proportional to the threat.

This would ensure a tailor-made solution instead of a one-size-fits-all solution and would avoidthe problem of applying measures where they are not needed and vice versa.

Port authorities should do the same for that part of the port that is not covered by the terminal-

assessment.

Communication and co-operation

Besides risk assessments, communication is of the utmost importance.

Information, which should be precise and the latest should be shared between all actors in the port, with a central information point that will gather and distribute the information to the

relevant parties.

Even though security measures already exist for a number of terminals and most port authorities,

the police and rescue services have security measures in place, these various measures are notalways so well co-ordinated. FEPORT is of the opinion that co-operation between the port

authority, local police and rescue services and terminals located in a respective port is in this

respect essential.

Cargo content and inspection

FEPORT is of the opinion that the content of the cargo is the responsibility of the cargo owner 

while inspection of cargo falls under the duties of the customs authorities.The cargo owner should from our point of view clearly specify what the content of the cargo is,

which is particularly important for containers.

Important in this respect as well is the communication of information between all actors in thetransport chain.

The inspection of containers should be based on a risk analysis and their identification should beintelligence led. Only those containers that are thought to be of a vulnerable category should be

checked.

The methods to check these vulnerable containers need to be thoroughly researched to prove

reliability and efficiency.

For instance, the speed of checking such containers would need to ensure that there is no negative

impact of these checks on the logistic process as much as possible.Methods should furthermore be developed to avoid having to check the content of the container,

such as electronic seals, but this would require accurate and on-time information from the cargo

owner and/or agent.

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 Access to the terminal 

Persons entering the terminal should always identify themselves. The way this should be done

should be left to the individual companies.

 Inspection port employees

Most terminal operators already check the antecedents of people they hire.Their background is checked as well as the question whether they have undertaken any criminalactivities in the past. Especially, personnel working in sensitive areas as well as security

 personnel is and should be checked.

ConclusionTo conclude it should be stressed that a workable solution based on risk-analysis should be

achieved to improve port security.