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Introduction to International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
Following a week-long Diplomatic Conference held at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from December 9-13, 2002, a number of amendments to the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) were adopted. The most far-reaching of these amendments is the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The ISPS Code – which comes into effect on July 1, 2004 – is a new, comprehensive security regime that seeks to establish an international framework of co-operation between governments, government agencies and the shipping and port industries in order to detect and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade.
The requirements of Code will also help to ensure the early and efficient collection and exchange of security-related information, the development of plans and procedures to guide the response to changing security levels, and the continued confidence of the marine sector community that security measures are in place.
The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is divided into two parts. Part A of this Code contains detailed mandatory security requirements for federal governments, port authorities and ship companies. Part B is non-mandatory and provides guidance for carrying out the provisions of Part A.
This guide outlines the principal obligations of Transport Canada, as well as Canadian ship companies and port facility operators, under the Code. Details of how to obtain a copy of the Code can be found on the International Maritime Organization’s Web site at www.imo.org.
For further information about the ISPS Code, or for details on Transport Canada’s plans for implementation, contact your regional Security and Emergency Preparedness office
