Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) is carrying out a comprehensive Port Facilities Security Assessment (PFSA) based on a security survey, to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, according to a DPA spokesperson.
Most ships risk being ban-ned from the world's 6,000 ports as well as loss of insurance unless they comply with the latest anti-terrorist measures under the ISPS code as the July 1 deadline nears.
Under the ISPS code, shipowners, ports and terminal operators must have individual security plans and designate security officers.
Though most ports in the Gulf are safe, they are not ISPS code compliant yet, officials said.
A DPA spokesperson told Gulf News: "The DPA has carried out a comprehensive Port Facilities Security Assessment based on a Security Survey as per the ISPS code which has been approved by the contracting government, and we are awaiting approval of the Ports Facilities Security Plan (PFSP). We expect to become ISPS code compliant before the deadline, July 1."
The total number of ships liable to the ISPS code is 21,347. Out of these, 16,465 have submitted Ship Security Plans (SSP) while only 4,841 or 22.7 per cent have received International Ship Security Certificates (ISSC). Out of 6,114 ports, 2,044 have submitted Port Facility Security Plans (PFSP) only 654 or 10.7 per cent have been approved.
Non-compliance with the ISPS code, made mandatory by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), could also result in a breakdown in the global supply chain after July 1, shipping officials cautioned.
Following non-compliance, ports can turn away vessels on security grounds. Similarly, vessels can refuse to call at a port which has not received ISPS certification.
When asked if the DPA would refuse berths to vessels which lack ISPS compliance, he said: "This will be subject to the contracting government's decision."
Gulf News
