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Security First

Singapore’s international conference on maritime security has been followed by new measures against both terrorism and SARS

Security is one of the hottest topics in international shipping. Following 11 September, a clampdown was inevitable, and those not aware of the latest developments and regulations can now find cargoes and ships delayed or impounded through inadequate official procedures or documentation.

Following the recent IMO Diplomatic Conference on Mari-time Security, with the subsequent amendments to SOLAS (the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) and the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities (ISPS Code), Singapore played host to the International Maritime and Port Security Conference (IMPSC) in January 2003.

Minister warns of maritime targets
Guest of Honour was Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, Singapore’s Minister for Transport. In his address Minister Yeo warned that the threat of terrorism is a global one, quoting terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna as saying that with the hardening of land aviation targets, Al Qaeda and its associate organisations “will shift the threat to maritime targets, particularly to commercial shipping”, and will increasingly rely on like-minded groups in South and South-East Asia, the Horn of Africa, Middle East and the Caucasus.

Efforts to beef up maritime security should be done at three levels – at the multilateral level, national level and individual level, said Minister Yeo, pointing out that Singapore has already begun to implement national measures, establishing shore-based AIS facilities, and restricting access to key areas within the port, such as oil terminals.

“As a major transhipment port, Singapore has a critical role to play in ensuring the security of containers going through our port,” he said. “In this respect, we will be installing gamma-ray scanners to screen containers. We have also implemented an enhanced export control system. We are also a signatory to the Container Security Initiative (CSI) with the United States.”

New restrictions
The Singapore Maritime Port Authority (MPA)’s Port Circular of 20 March 2003 introduced further restrictions around its port as the US-led war with Iraq got under way. An exclusion zone around LNG, LPG and chemical gas carriers and very large crude carrier anchorages, prohibits all vessels from entering, anchoring, mooring, transiting or being in the area for any purpose, except with the prior approval of the Port Master. The Circular also restricts pleasure craft and visiting yachts from entering or leaving the port, or sailing through the shipping channels around Jurong Island, between 7pm and 6.30am. Boat owners wishing to depart must provide the authorities with details including their planned route. During these hours, LNG, petroleum gas and chemical gas carriers will also not be allowed to move within port waters, except those arriving or leaving from designated anchorages.

First terrorism, now SARS
Hot on the heels of these general security restrictions came new health requirements, as the SARS virus continued to wreak havoc upon international travel. Since 5 April, the master, owner or agent of arriving vessels must instruct every crew member or passenger to complete a Health Declaration Card and to submit the Card to the Officer-In-Charge upon arrival in Singapore. Failure to do so carries a fine of S$5000 for first offences and S$10,000 for subsequent offences.

Priority, proportionality and partnership
Also speaking at the IMPSC conference was Mr Chen Tze Penn, Director-General of the MPA. He stressed “priority, proportionality and partnership” in dealing with the threat of terrorism. While the issue must have top priority, he said, “it is imperative that enhanced security measures are pragmatic and appropriate to probable or perceived threats. They cannot be those dreamed up on the back of an envelope or pushed by enthusiastic vendors. Instead, proper threat assessments must be conducted to devise appropriate countermeasures. In the shipping and port industry, where the emphasis is on productivity improvement, cost reduction, responsiveness and speed, there will be serious concerns about maritime and port security measures which might not be compatible with this emphasis.”

Mr Chen welcomed the partnership already shown by the industry in its response.

“We welcome the fact that the IMO is working closely with the International Labour Organisation on seafarers’ identity documents and with the World Customs Organisation on the security of containers.” In addition, he said, “Countries can work closely with their neighbours and others in the wider region to spin webs of security linkages, information exchange channels, cooperation in training and sharing of best practices, so that by working together, there is mutual enhancement of maritime security efforts. Finally, there is the very crucial government-industry partnership. Sustained cooperation between government and industry is needed both for implementing effective measures to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities to security threats, and to prevent unnecessary disruptions to the flow of commerce.”

Author: Jez Ford

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