IMO warns governments against missing July 1 security deadline

IMO warns governments against missing July 1 security deadline    The International Maritime Organization has warned governments against the risks of missing the July 1 deadline for full implementation of new maritime security measures, and of potentially inadequate compliance if measures are rushed at the last minute.
   Following the publication of surveys showing limited progress towards compliance until now, the maritime safety committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said in a circular that governments and the shipping industry should “redouble their efforts” to ensure compliance with the new maritime security measures. The circular, issued last week, urges governments, port authorities, classification societies, recognized security organizations, training institutions and all other parties concerned to take action as soon as possible to ensure compliance with the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security code (ISPS code).
   The circular asks administrations to advise companies and ships operating under their countries’ flags to take appropriate steps “to increase awareness of the potential dangers” so that their crews are extremely vigilant and alert to any security threat they may encounter in port, at offshore terminals or at sea.
   The IMO’s theme for the current year is “focus on maritime security,” the London-based organization said.
   “However, recent surveys carried out on the status of implementation of the security measures introduced by the… SOLAS amendments and the ISPS code raise concerns that not enough progress has been achieved so far,” the IMO said.
   The IMO warned that the information received gives rise to “grave concern” also from the point of view of the serious repercussions to ships, shipping companies, port facilities and international sea-borne trade if the situation does not improve by July and parties concerned are found not in compliance with the measures.
   The IMO also expressed concern over the implementation of the measures if, as a result of last minute bottlenecks, “plans are approved and certificates are issued hastily without proper verification.”
   The IMO is the United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
   The call to action issued by the IMO also follows the publication of an alarming report in the United States showing that nearly half of ships and about four out of every five of the United States’ port facilities failed to submit their security plans to the U.S. Coast Guard by Dec. 31.