UNCTAD says ports, ships delay compliance with ISPS code

UNCTAD says ports, ships delay compliance with ISPS code    Ports and ships around the world are behind in their efforts to comply with the July 1 deadline of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said in a report.
   “Recent surveys carried out on the status of implementation of the security measures raise concerns that not enough progress has been achieved so far,” UNCTAD said in a Feb. 26 report, “Container Security: Major Initiatives and Related International Developments.”
   The lack of progress has been reported by governments and other interested parties, including industry organizations, such as the International Chamber of Shipping, the Baltic and International Maritime Council, the International Association of Classification Societies, Intertanko, Intercargo and the International Association of Ports and Harbors, the report says.
   The International Association of Ports and Harbors surveyed its member ports and found difficulties in their compliance efforts.
   “While 70 percent of the 53 member ports which responded to the survey were confident they would meet the deadline of July 1, 2004, 19 percent were uncertain,” UNCTAD said. Reasons cited for delay in implementations included, above all, financial constraints, as well as lack of staff and expertise. Other reasons cited were delays in legislative enactment and procedures by governing bodies and authorities.
   “In particular, smaller ports and ports from developing nations called for information sharing and technical assistance … as well as financial assistance,” the UNCTAD report said.
   Ports are also concerned about a potential increase in “security related competition,” as some countries might impose stricter requirements than others, UNCTAD reported.
   The UNCTAD report is posted on the Web at
https://www.unctad.org/en/docs/sdtetlb20041_en.pdf.