Shipping on course for security pact

Indian ships and ports are on course to meet international security standards set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a month before the July 2004 deadline.

The ministry expects to have all personnel trained and the required infrastructure in place to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code by next June.

The security plan for all the 12 ports have been approved. Of the 200 ships identified, plans for 40 ships have been passed, while those for the rest are expected to be cleared by the end of December.

The security schemes for all of the identified 36 minor ports and ship repair yards will also be approved by mid-January.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted the code for protection against terrorism after the terror attacks in the US on September 11, 2001.

India, being a signatory to the IMO, is bound by its provisions. The IMO adopted the ISPS code through a resolution in December 2002.

According to code, it is mandatory for the signatory countries to assess security requirements for ship and port facilities and draw up risk mitigation plans that will have to be approved by the respective governments.

As part of the compliance requirements, the signatory countries will have to fulfil the guidelines of the International Association of Classification Society. The ships and ports will then have to undergo verification audits.

The ships and ports after practising the approved plans will have to undergo verification audits. For ships, the audits will start in January and will be completed by May next year.