July 1, 2004: It's a Brave new World

With the deadline to comply with ISPS/MTSA now passed, focus will start shifting towards the immediate and long-term financial impacts these rules will have on the industry as a whole. Ships trading internationally and port facilities servicing them will be expected henceforth to have their security-related paperwork and procedures in order. As this is a national security issue, one should expect little leeway to be afforded by port state control officials. The IMO issued a Reminder discussing the various maritime security measures contained in recent amendments to the SOLAS Convention and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. It also issued a Status Update stating that, with 46 nations reporting, 53.2% of the ships and 53.4% of the port facilities have the necessary certificates and approvals. (HK Law).