IMO adopts measures vs terrorist attacks

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a set of measures to prevent ships from becoming targets of international terrorism.

In a recent meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, IMO member countries, which include the Philippines, decided to implement certain measures to enhance the security of seagoing vessels.

Among the measures that the members decided to adopt in the IMO meeting, according to Customs Deputy Commissioner Ray Allas, were ship and offshore security plans, port vulnerability assessment, cooperation with the world customs organizations, information on the ship, its cargo and people, and seafarer identification and background check, among others.

The seafarer identification and background check was the most contentious item raised in the meeting as the overwhelming majority of the member states refused to support it, citing legal and constitutional restrictions.

While there was a general consensus on the need for an updated seafarer identification document, there was a clear division among the participants in the IMO meeting, although there was a general agreement on the need for an updated said identification document.

Another major issue that was discussed was ownership and operational control of the ship as it was observed that while full transparency in ownership information was desirable, it could be difficult to achieve.