IMO ADOPTS MARITIME SECURITY RULES

IMO ADOPTS MARITIME SECURITY RULES    The international delegations of International Maritime Organization member states have adopted stricter maritime security rules that will become effective in July 2004.
   During the session of the IMO conference on the work of the maritime safety committee in London Thursday night, the United Nations agency agreed to the worldwide introduction of new maritime security regulations, embedded in amendments to the Safety Of Life At Sea international convention.
   As expected, the new rules include a new “International Ship and Port Facility Security Code,” the accelerated introduction of automated identification systems on board ships, and requirements for ships and port authorities to implement “ship security plans” and “port facility security plans.”
   Government representatives and ministers are expected to sign the agreement formally in London this afternoon. IMO member governments will have to implement the new security regulations nationally by the application date of July 1, 2004.
   The international security rules were developed and approved by the IMO in a year — a record time for the IMO — following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States.
   The international delegations of the IMO have also agreed to form a working group with the International Labor Organization on maritime security, and particularly the introduction of seafarers’ identity documents. The delegations have also resolved to enhance the cooperation between the IMO and the World Customs Organization on maritime container security. The delegations urged the World Customs Organization to urgently consider the introduction of measures to enhance security concerning the international movement of closed cargo units such as containers.
   One of the IMO conference resolutions on the amendments to the Safety Of Life At Sea convention said in its preamble that the international conference recognized the need for change and special measures to enhance maritime security and the desire of contracting governments to bring these measures into force as soon as possible.
   Prior to the IMO meeting, U.S. Senate members of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation sent a letter to IMO secretary-general William A. O’Neil to stress the importance of international security standards.