Stakeholders in Nigerian maritime industry will come together on
Friday to discuss the implementation of the International Ship and
Port Security Code (ISPS) and the primary international security standard
in the nation’s port industry.
Friday to discuss the implementation of the International Ship and
Port Security Code (ISPS) and the primary international security standard
in the nation’s port industry.
The event will hold at the International Maritime Press Centre of
the Maritime Reporters’ Association Nigeria (MARAN) in Apapa, Lagos.
the Maritime Reporters’ Association Nigeria (MARAN) in Apapa, Lagos.
A seasoned master mariner and former consultant to the
International Maritime Organisation(IMO), Captain Abiodun Omoteso, will make
presentations at the event.
International Maritime Organisation(IMO), Captain Abiodun Omoteso, will make
presentations at the event.
According to the Chairman of MARAN Seminar Committee, Mr Kayode
Atofolaki, the event is being organised to enable the public and the
international shipping community appreciate the level of security on the
nation’s waterways and the port environment.
Atofolaki, the event is being organised to enable the public and the
international shipping community appreciate the level of security on the
nation’s waterways and the port environment.
Atofolaki added that the one day seminar would
discuss the level of Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety
Agency’s (NIMASA) Verification Inspection Exercise (VIE) across all Nigerian
port facilities and security threat levels.
discuss the level of Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety
Agency’s (NIMASA) Verification Inspection Exercise (VIE) across all Nigerian
port facilities and security threat levels.
He noted: “The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code
(ISPS Code) is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships
and port facilities.
(ISPS Code) is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships
and port facilities.
“It was developed in response to the perceived threats to ships
and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. The
ISPS Code is implemented through chapter XI-2 special measures to enhance
maritime security in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS), 1974. The Code has two parts, one mandatory and one recommendatory.
and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. The
ISPS Code is implemented through chapter XI-2 special measures to enhance
maritime security in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS), 1974. The Code has two parts, one mandatory and one recommendatory.
“The purpose of the Code is to provide a standardised, consistent
framework for evaluating risk, enabling Governments to offset changes in threat
with changes in vulnerability for ships and port facilities through
determination of appropriate security levels and corresponding security
measures.”
framework for evaluating risk, enabling Governments to offset changes in threat
with changes in vulnerability for ships and port facilities through
determination of appropriate security levels and corresponding security
measures.”
It would be recalled that The United States Government had said
that some Nigerian port facilities lacked effective anti-terrorism measures in
place.
that some Nigerian port facilities lacked effective anti-terrorism measures in
place.
The country imposed Conditions of Entry (COE) on vessels calling
from some Nigerian port terminals which were yet to comply with the
International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
from some Nigerian port terminals which were yet to comply with the
International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The United States Embassy in Nigeria in a statement also declared
that the COE would require affected vessels to meet certain security measures
prior to entering the U.S. ports.
that the COE would require affected vessels to meet certain security measures
prior to entering the U.S. ports.
