PHILIPPINE shipping stakeholders expressed uncertainty over the country’s ability to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Safety Code (ISPS) effective in July 2004.
Much of the apprehension is rooted on the the high cost of technology and security equipment needed to comply with the policy, said Foreign Affairs undersecretary Delia Domingo-Albert at the recently concluded Seminar on Maritime Security: Countdown to the ISPS Code Deadline held at the Mandarin Oriental, Makati.
“The main concerns rest on the capacity of IMO members to develop port and security plans before the July 1, 2004 deadline as well as the resource and time constraints to get new international systems in place,” she said.
Under the ISPS Code, shipping operators must undergo ship security assessment, develop ship security plans, nominate ship and company security officers, and provide on-board equipment. Port handlers and operators also have similar requirements.
