Lloyd’s Register Spreads the Word on Maritime Safety

Last week, the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) 'Diplomatic Conference on Marine Security', held in London in parallel with MSC 76, adopted new Regulations to enhance maritime security through amendments to SOLAS Chapter XI, which now includes a new International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. On Monday this week, Lloyd's Register held the first in a global program of practical seminars aimed at helping the marine industry understand the implications of the new Regulations. Around 60 delegates, mainly from UK based operators, heard how compliance with the ISPS Code will become mandatory from July 1, 2004 under a certification regime expected to resemble that already in place for ISM. "Very informative - and a simple explanation of what is often thought of as a difficult subject. There will be problems and help like this is very useful" was the verdict of one delegate on the seminar, which is now being repeated in Houston, Miami, Vancouver, Toronto, Rotterdam, Piraeus, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Speaking after the seminar, Captain Andy Mitchell, Head of Lloyd's Register's Marine Management Systems group commented; "Maritime security is often portrayed as a complicated subject, so it important that the industry takes a practical, rather than a bureaucratic, approach. From our experience with ISM certification, we expect operators to be seeking assistance with developing and implementing systems to comply with ISPS. To help them in this, Lloyd's Register will be providing in-depth and structured training for the company security officers (CSO) and ship security officers (SSO) that are required by the code. In addition, we will be producing an 'ISPS Practical Pack' providing operators with the framework on which to build their ship security plans."

Lloyd's Register's existing ISM auditor network will be trained over the coming months to help clients through the certification process. Alan Gavin, Marine Director, confirmed that "Lloyd's Register is working with expert security firms to establish the specialist knowledge which, together with our experience in ISM and management systems, will enable us to audit for compliance the new Regulations and issue International Ship Security Certificates on behalf of flag administrations."