BIMCO CRITICAL OF 24-HOUR MANIFEST RULE, U.S. SECURITY MEASURES

BIMCO CRITICAL OF 24-HOUR MANIFEST RULE, U.S. SECURITY MEASURES    The Baltic and International Maritime Council has discussed the proposed 24-hour manifest rule with the U.S. Customs Service in Washington, and continues to express concerns over the practicality of the security measure.
   “BIMCO … views the 24-hour manifest rule with some skepticism, as BIMCO questions the ability of U.S. Customs to analyze and report back to the carrier within the designated 24-hour period,” the international association of shipping companies said.
   The association also believes that the 24-hour manifest rule, which would require shipowners to send the vessel manifest 24 hours before departure of a U.S.-bound ship, is not feasible for bulk cargoes.
   By contrast, BIMCO views the Container Security Initiative of U.S. Customs positively.
   BIMCO criticized the U.S. requirement that certain shipowners pay for hired security guards to ensure that seafarers do not leave the ship when calling at a U.S. port.
   “It is a sad fact that, for some ships these days, the costs of private security guards placed on board by the authorities exceed the daily freight earnings,” the shipowners’ association said.