Jamaican Shipping Association upgrading port security

Sunday, January 11, 2004

KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), in collaboration with the Port Authority of Jamaica and Security Administrators Limited (SAL), is in the process of upgrading Jamaica's maritime security status.

This is in keeping with more severe compliance regulations, which mandate that US Customs must certify all ports trading with the United States of America.

The code that covers this is the International Ship and Port Facility Security code (ISPS), which comes into effect in July this year.

In an interview with JIS News, John Ulett, General Manager of SAL, the main provider of security for the port of Kingston, explained that "like everything else, everywhere else, the world has changed since 9/11 and there are a lot of new requirements for vessels and shipping lines that trade with the United States". 

Mr. Ulett said in the face of the strict security measures required of all seaport facilities, Port Bustamante, Kingston Wharves and the Kingston Container Terminal had done a lot of preparatory work, led by the Port Authority of Jamaica. The Authority has ordered high tech equipment, such as x-ray machines, the first set of which are scheduled to arrive by mid-January. 

In mid 2003, the Authority committed over $1 billion to further upgrade port security in Kingston and Montego Bay. Government and port officials estimated that the investment would significantly reduce illicit cargo and arms, as well as other illegal contraband passing through the country's ports. 

Science Applications International Corporation of California, USA, was awarded a US$13.3 million (J$785 million) contract to supply five mobile gamma ray VACIS (Vehicle and Cargo Inspection Systems) to scan containers, and five VACIS pallet systems for inspection of cargo packages. 

Meanwhile, Advanced Research and Application Corporation, also of California, was contracted to supply one Eagle mobile X-ray unit to inspect high-density cargo, under a US$5.54 million contract. 

The Authority is also ensuring complete surveillance of the port with the installation of Closed Circuit TV cameras. Mr. Ulett disclosed that a new electronic ID system would be put in place to control access to the port and this should go a far way in helping Jamaica to meet the requirements of US Customs.

General Manager of the SAJ, Trevor Riley, emphasised that "one of the important points that need to be stated with this question of the ISPS code and the US Maritime Transportation Security Act, which has been implemented and which also speaks to the same issue, is that as of July 1 this year, any port that does not comply with the requirement for enhanced security will not be able to trade with the US". 

"It is important that Jamaican port users and Jamaican traders know that if we do not achieve compliance, then we would not be able to trade with the US," he added.

Mr. Riley explained that if a vessel arrived in Kingston and departed for a US port and there was any question about the level of security that was provided for that vessel in Kingston, the vessel would not be allowed to dock in the US. 

"Whatever is on that vessel and subsequent vessels that leave here, will just not arrive. So, it is a major responsibility on us to ensure that the port of Kingston complies. It's a major task and a major responsibility on the shipping industry to ensure that Jamaica's trade is able to continue. It's not something that will kick in on the first of July and end there. It will be an on-going battle to ensure that we comply and maintain compliance," the General Manager said.

Mr. Riley stressed that what should be highlighted in the on-going dialogue about the Bioterrorism Act and how that affected traders in Jamaica, was that the ISPS Code and the Maritime Security Act had a much greater potential threat for exports from Jamaica, than the Bioterrorism Act. 

According to the General Manager, it is costing the country some US$100 million to achieve this compliance, including the purchase of equipment, training and implementation of the requisite security systems.

Mr. Ulett informed JIS News that all countries in the region were required to comply, and that Jamaica's progress was more advanced than many others. 

The Ministry of National Security, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard are also playing an integral part in the security compliance process. 

Kingston is among the world's top 100 transshipment ports, ranking with those in Singapore, Hong Kong and Rotterdam. Each month, the terminal receives over 90 container ships.

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