Local shipping sector faces sanctions over safety lapses

The local shipping industry has 11 months to shape up to international safety and security standards otherwise sanctions will be imposed by the international community.

This summed up the International Maritime Organizations (IMO) latest requirements at the end of a five-day seminar yesterday to orient the country’s shipping "stake holders" on the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which will be implemented on July 1, 2004.

The seminar, attended by 66 representatives from the country’s shipping companies and government port and shipping authorities, was held at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headquarters in Manila.

"Basically, the important thing about the seminar is for us to implement all these by July 1, 2004. If not, the foreign shipping companies may stay away from us," said PCG spokesman Lt. Armand Balilo.

Balilo said the measures are being imposed over fears that ports will be the next target of terrorists in view of the 9/11 attack in the US.

Among the new security measures to be implemented are the setting up of alarm systems that would alert authorities on any hijacking and prevent unauthorized boarding of ships in ports and at sea. A new seafarer identification card and transparency in ownership and control of ships are also being studied.

The country’s maritime industry is one of the most antiquated in the world as it is yet to set up sea lanes and global positioning system devices that could prevent accidents.

The IMO wants the country to assess its port facilities by identifying and evaluating important assets and infrastructures that are critical to the port facility "as well as those areas or structures that, if damaged, could cause signifficant loss of life or damage to the port facility’s economy or environment."

The IMO also expects the country to identify the actual threats to thsoe critical areas to prioritize security measures and asses the vulnerability of a port facility by identifying its weaknesses in physical security, structural integrity, protection systems, procedural policies, communication systems, transportation infrastructure, utilities, and other areas within a port facility that may be a likely target.