The International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities, (also known as ISPS Code) is a code "Code (Law)") adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to establish an international framework, in the maritime field, for cooperation to detect threats "Threat (Law)") and adopt preventive measures.
At the 22nd IMO Assembly meeting in November 2001, due to the 9/11 attacks and their consequences, it was unanimously agreed that new legislative measures should be developed relating to the security of ships and port facilities. These measures were adopted at a Conference of Contracting Governments (GGCC) of SOLAS (Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security), in December 2002, with the name International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities, coming into force in July 2004.
This is the first time that the IMO has drawn up regulations that affect port facilities, although only with regard to the ship-port interface.
These provisions may place a considerable burden on some governments, as they represent a change in the approach to security in the international maritime sector. That is why the importance of technical cooperation is recognized to help these governments implement the provisions of the Code.
Parts
The ISPS Code is structured in two parts: "Mandatory Prescriptions" and "Guidances".
The code applies to ships on international voyages with a minimum tonnage of 500 GRT, mobile offshore drilling units, and port facilities servicing such ships and units.
For their protection, the ISPS Code establishes a framework for international cooperation to detect security threats and adopt preventive measures.
It also defines roles and responsibilities at national and international levels, ensures the collection and exchange of information, provides a methodology for carrying out protection assessments and ensures confidence that adequate protection measures are in place.
Governments must determine the level of security that applies at any given time to ships and port facilities, based on the information available. However, at the time that the captain of a ship operating in a foreign port considers it appropriate to raise the level of protection of the ship, he may do so. There are three levels of protection:
a) Protection level 1: is the level at which adequate minimum protection measures must be maintained at all times.
International security code
Introduction
The International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities, (also known as ISPS Code) is a code "Code (Law)") adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to establish an international framework, in the maritime field, for cooperation to detect threats "Threat (Law)") and adopt preventive measures.
At the 22nd IMO Assembly meeting in November 2001, due to the 9/11 attacks and their consequences, it was unanimously agreed that new legislative measures should be developed relating to the security of ships and port facilities. These measures were adopted at a Conference of Contracting Governments (GGCC) of SOLAS (Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security), in December 2002, with the name International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities, coming into force in July 2004.
This is the first time that the IMO has drawn up regulations that affect port facilities, although only with regard to the ship-port interface.
These provisions may place a considerable burden on some governments, as they represent a change in the approach to security in the international maritime sector. That is why the importance of technical cooperation is recognized to help these governments implement the provisions of the Code.
Parts
The ISPS Code is structured in two parts: "Mandatory Prescriptions" and "Guidances".
The code applies to ships on international voyages with a minimum tonnage of 500 GRT, mobile offshore drilling units, and port facilities servicing such ships and units.
For their protection, the ISPS Code establishes a framework for international cooperation to detect security threats and adopt preventive measures.
It also defines roles and responsibilities at national and international levels, ensures the collection and exchange of information, provides a methodology for carrying out protection assessments and ensures confidence that adequate protection measures are in place.
Governments must determine the level of security that applies at any given time to ships and port facilities, based on the information available. However, at the time that the captain of a ship operating in a foreign port considers it appropriate to raise the level of protection of the ship, he may do so. There are three levels of protection:
b) Security level 2: is the level at which appropriate additional security measures must be maintained for a period of time as a result of an increase in the risk of an event affecting maritime security occurring.
c) Security level 3: is the level at which more specific security measures must be maintained for a limited period of time when an event affecting maritime security is likely or imminent to occur, even if it is not possible to determine the specific target.
In accordance with the requirements of the ISPS Code, ships will carry on board a Vessel Protection Plan or (PPB) that must be approved by the Administration, and operate in accordance with it. The plan must indicate the protection measures that must be taken on the ship to be able to operate permanently at protection level 1 and the additional measures that are necessary to pass and operate at levels 2 or 3 when required.
The Plan will contain measures to prevent the introduction of weapons, explosives, etc., unauthorized access to the ship and restricted areas thereof. In the same way, procedures are established to evaluate threats, verify protection tasks, report events, train people involved in prevention (crew members, etc.), carry out exercises and practices, as well as respond to instructions given by governments for level 3 protection.
Each port facility must also develop and maintain a Port Facility Protection Plan or PPIP, based on an evaluation and which will include the three levels of protection, which will have to be approved by the government, be written in the working language of the facility and contain, at a minimum, measures to prevent weapons, substances dangerous to people, ship or port, or whose transport is not authorized, prevent unauthorized access to the port facility or ships. installation, ships or restricted areas, guarantee the protection of the cargo and equipment for handling it.
a) Protection level 1: is the level at which adequate minimum protection measures must be maintained at all times.
b) Security level 2: is the level at which appropriate additional security measures must be maintained for a period of time as a result of an increase in the risk of an event affecting maritime security occurring.
c) Security level 3: is the level at which more specific security measures must be maintained for a limited period of time when an event affecting maritime security is likely or imminent to occur, even if it is not possible to determine the specific target.
In accordance with the requirements of the ISPS Code, ships will carry on board a Vessel Protection Plan or (PPB) that must be approved by the Administration, and operate in accordance with it. The plan must indicate the protection measures that must be taken on the ship to be able to operate permanently at protection level 1 and the additional measures that are necessary to pass and operate at levels 2 or 3 when required.
The Plan will contain measures to prevent the introduction of weapons, explosives, etc., unauthorized access to the ship and restricted areas thereof. In the same way, procedures are established to evaluate threats, verify protection tasks, report events, train people involved in prevention (crew members, etc.), carry out exercises and practices, as well as respond to instructions given by governments for level 3 protection.
Each port facility must also develop and maintain a Port Facility Protection Plan or PPIP, based on an evaluation and which will include the three levels of protection, which will have to be approved by the government, be written in the working language of the facility and contain, at a minimum, measures to prevent weapons, substances dangerous to people, ship or port, or whose transport is not authorized, prevent unauthorized access to the port facility or ships. installation, ships or restricted areas, guarantee the protection of the cargo and equipment for handling it.