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Facility Security Plans News

31 Oct 2022

Cyber Attacks On the Rise at US Ports and Terminals

© Mariakray / Adobe Stock

Cyber attack attempts are becoming more common at U.S. ports and terminals, according to findings published this week by law firm Jones Walker LLP.The firm publicly released the findings of its 2022 Ports and Terminals Cybersecurity Survey, examining cybersecurity preparedness in U.S.-based ports and terminals. The report outlining the results of the survey is authored by four of the firm’s attorneys and the findings was presented by two of them, Jim Kearns and Andy Lee, during the Inland Rivers…

25 Feb 2019

ABS Answers USCG Call for Port Cyber Security

File Image: CREDIT: AdobeStock / © Popov

New solution incorporates National Institute of Standards and Technology Cyber Security Framework (NIST CSF). ABS Advanced Solutions announced a first-of-its-kind cyber security solution to aid regulated maritime facilities in complying with US Coast Guard (USCG) guidance. The suite of services provides a turnkey solution for port and terminal facility operators responsible for maintaining USCG regulated Facility Security Plans (FSPs).In 2017, the USCG announced the intent that regulated maritime facilities in the United States address cyber security in their FSPs.

17 Sep 2018

Maritime Industry's Slow Boat to Cyber Security

© vectorfusionart/AdobeStock

Ports making up for lost timeDespite the critical role the maritime transportation system plays in the economic health of the United States, and despite its fairly recent embrace of all things automated – cranes, vehicles, surveillance and even vessels – the sector has been slow to warm to the need to protect its digital systems and assets.Post 9/11, security concerns about the nation’s borders, air space and infrastructure, including ports, moved front and center for a brief moment before other concerns…

10 Nov 2017

Port Security: Preventing Stowaways

Enhanced port security can help the in the facilitation of international maritime traffic and the prevention of stowaways. A national workshop in Freetown, Sierra Leone (6-10 November) is one of a series assisting ports with the highest number of stowaway incidents to address these issues. Meetings with key stakeholders responsible for maritime security and facilitation are being used to gauge knowledge of national legislation, port facility security plans, local organization of maritime security and facilitation, and inter-agency cooperation through security and facilitation committees. This is being followed up by port visits, to assess the physical security which is currently in place.

06 Nov 2017

Cyber Shoal Waters

© beebright / Adobe Stock

Over the past two months the world has been rocked by three major hacking events that have garnered international notice. These included the EQIFAX event in which 140 million individuals were reported to be possibly compromised, the WannaCry attack and the NotPeyta event. In the past two years the emphasis on the cyber security of the Marine Transportation System, a vital economic cog to the world has come under increasing scrutiny. In August, trade journals and major international…

13 Sep 2017

USCG Releases Draft Cyber Guide for Maritime Facilities

James Espino (Photo: Gnostech)

Cyber risk has hit a critical peak within the maritime industry, and the significant impact of the Petya ransomware attack on scores of maritime entities only amplifies it. The attack effectively shut down major ocean carriers, including shipping conglomerate Maersk, and impacted marine terminal operations across the globe. Every maritime company, no matter the size or business function, is a potential target. The industry has seen a recent wave of guidelines and resolutions from maritime regulatory bodies related to maritime security and cyber risk mitigation.

20 Jul 2015

Shore Leave: Re-think on Balancing Security, Seafarer Rights

(Photo: Alex Sergienko)

Before port states became hyper-sensitive to security issues, shore leave was natural part of a seafarer’s life. You worked long and hard hours at sea, often for extended periods of time on long voyages. When the ship reached port, you went ashore and decompressed, connecting with family and friends. That and much more changed after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. The IMO adopted the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code mandating enhanced security onboard vessels subject to the SOLAS Convention.

08 Apr 2015

The $100m Port Security Grant Scramble

About $100 million will be available to various port authorities, facility operators and state and local government agencies who have developed an Area Maritime Security Plan as part of the 2015 FEMA port security grant program. Eligibility Criteria is established pursuant to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, as amended (MTSA) wherein Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established a risk-based grant program to support maritime security risk management. This year funding is directed towards the implementation of AMSPs and Facility Security Plans (FSP) among port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies that are required to provide port security services. The application submission deadline is May 19, 2015 at 11:59 PM EDT.

30 Dec 2014

USCG Proposes New Rules for Maritime Facilities Access

Notice of proposed rulemaking by U.S. On Monday, the U.S. Federal Register published a notice of proposed rulemaking by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to implement section 811 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-281) which would provide clear regulatory requirements for each facility owner or operator to provide seafarers associated with a vessel moored at the facility, and other individuals, access between the vessel and facility gate without unreasonable delay, and at no cost to the seafarer or other individual. Generally, transiting through a facility is the only way that a seafarer or other individual can egress to shore beyond the facility to access basic shoreside businesses and services…

12 Dec 2014

Winter Storm to Hit San Francisco Bay

A major winter storm is forecast for the San Francisco Bay this week. The storm is forecast to impact the entire Bay Area region, Monterey, and Lake Tahoe. Patchy fog, heavy rain, gale force winds (in excess of 34 knots) and increased wave action are expected Wednesday night, 10 December 2014 through Thursday 11 December 2014, with weather abating and showers expected on Friday 12 December 2014.... This MSIB clarifies USCG Captain of the Port expectations and provides recommended actions in preparation for heavy weather conditions forecast for the San Francisco COTP Zone. Industry partners should review the applicable portions of the San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun Bay Harbor Safety Plan, implement heavy-weather plans and shall take due diligence to prepare for potential storm impacts.

19 Jul 2013

Are our Ports Safe?

Joan Bondareff

Two recent reports have raised alarms about the security of our ports and the cargo that enters them by containers every day. The top North American container ports handle more than 35 million containers per year bringing vital goods to U.S. homes and companies every day. Without this freight, our economy would be at a standstill. But one nuclear device placed into a shipping container could wreak havoc not just at the port it enters, but also with the surrounding population of our busiest ports such as New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Long Beach.

21 Nov 2012

PVA Calls for TWIC Re-Evaluation

Passenger Vessel Association Marks 10th Anniversary of Maritime Security Law; Calls for Reevaluation of TWIC. On the tenth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (Public Law 107-295), the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) takes note of the far-reaching security enhancements adopted by the U.S. flagged passenger vessel industry but also calls on Congress to re-evaluate the expensive and unsuccessful Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

11 Nov 2010

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

On Friday, October 15, President Obama signed into law the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 3619). This is the first such authorization act for the Coast Guard since 2006. The statute is lengthy (128 pages) and addresses a wide variety of maritime issues. This article will attempt to identify those provisions expected to have the most impact or of the most interest. I have grouped these provisions into broad categories, although there is some natural overlap. The Coast Guard is provided specific authority to enforce the U.S. coastwise trade laws and its personnel are to be trained with regard to these laws. This provision is somewhat redundant, in that the agency, since its founding as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790, has had this authority.

18 Jun 2008

USCG Authorization: Provisions of interest

U.S. Coast Guard photo by PAC Tom Sperduto

The bill includes a major (and lengthy) title devoted to ballast water treatment. This would, if enacted, make it a national goal that, by 2015, ballast water when discharged into waters of the United States will contain no living (viable) organisms. This would constitute a ridiculously high standard and would be virtually impossible to test for. Ships would be required to have ballast water management plans approved by the US Coast Guard, but the agency would be given sufficient…

22 Oct 2003

Updated: USCG Maritime Security Regs

The U.S. Coast Guard promulgated its final regulations relating to maritime security. replace the interim rules issued on July 1, 2003 and take into account comments received thereon. Few substantive changes, though, have been made. clarifications. 31, 2003. Vessel and facility security plans must be in full effect not later than July 1, 2004. alternative security programs submitted by specialized industry groups were approved. Coast Guard is to be congratulated for its development of a program for enhancing U.S. security while maintaining consistency with the international regime. mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). unnecessary. The regulations are divided into General Provisions - 68 Fed. Reg. Maritime Security - 68 Fed. Reg. 60472; Vessel Security - 68 Fed. Reg.

13 Nov 2003

Legal Beat: At Sea with U.S. Maritime Security

By Dennis L. The U.S. Coast Guard issued its final regulations implementing the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA). These regulations replace the interim rules issued on July 1, 2003 and take into account comments received thereon. Few substantive changes, though, have been made. The majority of the changes are in the nature of clarifications. The submission date for security plans was changed from December 29 to December 31, 2003. Vessel and facility security plans must be in full effect not later than July 1, 2004. Various alternative security programs submitted by specialized industry groups were approved. Overall, the Coast Guard is to be congratulated for its development of a program for enhancing U.S.

13 Nov 2003

Stowaways Endangered by U.S. Shore Leave Policy

across the country show United States policies that endanger stowaways. Rights (CSR) in October. Department of Homeland Security. stowaways. shore leave because they posed a potential security risk. justified by evidence of a threat. said Mr. Douglas B. Stevenson, Director of the Center for Seafarers' Rights. crew), endangers the lives of stowaways. States ports," said Mr. Stevenson. The most common reason for denial of shore leave is the lack of a visa. (ILO-185). positively verifiable and internationally acceptable identification. status. Some of the security/shore leave issues have already been resolved. leave for crews. shore leave to seafarers. October 11, 2003. Texas. denial nationwide. seafarers' rights issues. to merchant seafarers and seafarers' welfare agencies worldwide.

25 Feb 2004

Deadline for new port security measures approaching

By Jonathan K. During a visit to Charleston, S.C. last month, President Bush touted his proposed 13 percent budget increase for homeland security with U.S. ports being a primary priority. The visit came just six months before these facilities must implement several domestic and international requirements intended to add additional layers of defense and protection from potential terrorist acts. These provisions are contained in the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA), the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS). Domestic implementation of these requirements can be found in the U.S. Coast Guard's recently published security regulations.

05 Mar 2004

International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

Closely associated with the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) is the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code enacted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Implementation of the ISPS code will provide a comprehensive framework for global maritime security while facilitating the flow of commerce through the maritime transportation system. The 108 countries that comprise the IMO, including the U.S., adopted the ISPS code in December of 2002. The code, along with amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, sets forth several functional requirements to achieve maritime security.

19 May 2004

First Great Lakes Security Plan Approved

In accordance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Milwaukee has reviewed and approved the first facility security plan in the Great Lakes region. This regulated facility is one of the first maritime facilities in the United States to receive U. S. Coast Guard approval under the full compliance review process. The Maritime Transportation Security Act requires maritime facilities to conduct facility security assessments and develop facility security plans to deter, detect, and defend against potential terrorists and other criminal activities. On or before July 1, 2004, facilities must begin operating in compliance with their proposed security plans.

21 Jun 2004

ISPS Code – Two Weeks and Counting

The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code comes into effect two weeks from today – on 1 July 2004. Hindsight has shown that the ISPS Code was developed in haste and insufficient attention has been paid to its implementation by many involved in the process – flag administrations, security advisors, recognized security organizations, owners, and operators. It is now up to everyone to cooperatively work to improve maritime security while keeping commerce moving. The needs of neither maritime security nor maritime commerce should solely predominate. Growing pains should be expected as port state control (PSC) officials, ships’ crews, and facility personnel adjust to the new paradigm.

21 Jun 2004

IMO Updates ISPS Figures

The IMO released ISPS Code implementation figures as of June 16, 2004. To date, 39 governments have provided responses indicating 21,347 ships from those nations are subject to the ISPS Code; 16,570 ship security plans have been submitted to these governments; and 6,127 International Ship Security Certificates (ISSCs) have been issued. Of the 6,117 port facilities identified by these governments, 1,970 have submitted security plans and 663 have been approved. This data indicates that at least 22% of the ships and 67% of the port facilities of these 39 countries have little hope of timely compliance since they have not even submitted security plans for review. The News Release does not identify the 39 governments providing responses. This report updates an IMO News Release of June 11.

30 Jun 2004

ISPS Update

The latest ISPS Code implementation figures show a continuing improvement, particularly as far as port facilities are concerned, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos said today, Wednesday (30 June). The latest figures issued by IMO, on the eve of the entry-into-force date, suggest that the majority of ships and ports worldwide will have achieved full compliance and that many more are well on the way towards doing so. “The figures released today indicate that the number of port facility security plans submitted and approved has increased significantly in the week before 1 July 2004,” Mr. Mitropoulos said. “Although the figures are changing constantly…