European port group worried about duplication of security rules

European port group worried about duplication of security rules    The European Sea Ports Organization, a Brussels-based representative body, has expressed concern about the multitude of port security requirements and legislative proposals from different sources.
   The port association said European ports will have to take account of three European initiatives on port security, as well as a range of measures from the European Commission, the International Maritime Organization and the U.S. administration. It cited:
   * A proposed European Union regulation on security management of EU external borders, which requests advance notification of cargo information, 24 hours prior to arrival.
   * The International Maritime Organization/International Labor Organization “Code of Practice on Port Security,” which is due to be published in July, and will contain general principles on how to develop and implement a security strategy for the whole port area.
   * U.S. initiatives in the field of customs and port security which have an impact on European ports, such as the Container Security Initiative, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and the foreign port assessments included in the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act.
   Ports must also comply with the IMO’s International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which becomes effective on July 1.
   “European ports essentially need a simple and straightforward set of measures which duly take into account the intermodal dimension,” the European Sea Ports Organization said in its annual report, published yesterday. “This will avoid costly duplication of investments and enhance transparency of the transport system.”
   The port body said the impact of new security measures “will indeed put a high financial strain on European port authorities.” It believes a harmonized approach by EU member states regarding financing would be preferable to avoid distortion of competition.
   “It should be clear, however, that, even with some degree of public financing, ports and shipping will be faced with increased costs which, in the end, should be passed on to the end users of ports and port facilities,” the port association warned.
   On May 22, 2003, the European Sea Ports Organization and another European port group, Feport, organized a workshop in Antwerp on the impact of international and EU security measures on European port authorities and terminals. The European Sea Ports Organization said one of the conclusions of the meeting was that “securing the whole port area would be the most difficult challenge.”
   The European Commission has also taken the view that security should not be restricted to measures affecting ships and port facilities, but should also involve measures covering both the entire port area and the hinterland connections to the port.
   The EC plans to submit, early this year, a directive on port security, the European Sea Ports Organization said. “The proposal will be based on the same philosophy and pattern as the ISPS Code,” the port group added, with security measures implemented depending on the security level in force.
   However, the European Sea Ports Organization said the need to have an overall port security directive “is still subject of debate.”
   “We are still at the beginnings of what will be a significant long term investment for ports in time and resources,” said David Whitehead, chairman of the European Sea Ports Organization, commenting on security. “The unstoppable nature of security and its limitless potential are a major concern,” he added.
   The port body believes security should be part of a wider approach, covering the complete transport chain. Ports are part of a logistic network, in which “each party should accept its responsibilities,” it said.
   The European Sea Ports Organization represents the port authorities, port associations and port administrations of the seaports of the European Union.