The Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security held in London in December 2002 adopted new provisions in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 and this International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities enhances maritime security. These new requirements form the international framework through which ships and port facilities can co-operate to detect and deter acts which threaten security in the maritime transport sector.
Following the tragic events of 11th September 2001, the 22nd session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization 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.
The Diplomatic Conference also adopted amendments to the existing provisions of the International Convention for the existing provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74) accelerating the implementation of the requirement to fit Automatic Identification Systems and adopted new regulations in chapter XI-1 of SOLAS 74 covering marking of the Ship Identification Number and the carriage and the carriage of Continuous Synopsis Record.
The provision of chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 and this 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 to cover port facilities was agreed on basis that SOLAS 74 offered the speediest means of ensuring the necessary security measures entered into force and given effect quickly. However, it was further agreed that the provisions relating to port facilities should relate solely to the ship/port interface.
Allied to this Code, The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union executed the Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on enhancing ship and port facility security. Furthermore the Maltese Government accomplished a local Subsidiary Legislation 352.21, Port Security Regulations to conform to all this.
Objectives of the Code:
To establish an international framework involving co-operation between Contracting Governments, Government Agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries to detect security threats and take preventative measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade
To establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Governments of the Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administration and the shipping and port industries, at the national and international level, for ensuring maritime security
To ensure the early and efficient collection and exchange of security-related information
To provide a methodology for security assessment so as to have in place plans and procedures to react to changing security levels
To ensure confidence that adequate and proportionate maritime security measures are in place.
This 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; and
Mobile offshore drilling units; and
Port facilities serving such ships engaged on international voyages.