IMO Trains Libyan Port Security Officers

Libyan port and maritime security officers are receiving training on  International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), which sets out preventive security measures to detect and defer threats to ships and port facilities.

The participants are in charge of port security throughout the country, and also include members of the national committee in charge of oversight of compliance in Libya, who will be part of a special session dedicated to oversight responsibilities.

The training workshop (27-31 October) is focused on equipping the officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan and conduct effective self-assessments of compliance with relevant IMO regulations/guidelines.

The workshop is being conducted in neighbouring Tunis, Tunisia, and follows the initial training of the same group of Libyan officers in April this year.

Having entered into force under SOLAS chapter XI-2, on 1 July 2004, the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) has since formed the basis for a comprehensive mandatory security regime for international shipping.

The main objectives of the ISPS Code include establishment of an international framework that fosters cooperation between Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries, in assessing and detecting potential security threats to ships or port facilities used for international trade, so as to implement preventive security measures against such threats.