The Hindu Business Line : Security code non-compliant ships' entry is ports' call

INDIAN ports will have the freedom to decide on a `case-to-case basis' whether to allow entry to ships that are non-compliant with the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which is slated to take effect from July 1.

The ISPS code subjects ships to a system of survey, verification, certification and control to ensure that the security measures prescribed by the IMO are implemented by member-countries.

"We have issued instructions/guidelines to all the ports on how to deal with non-compliant ships. If the credentials of non-compliant ships are otherwise genuine, if they broadly meet the guidelines and if they are unable to meet the ISPS Code requirement only because of certain technical reasons, ports can then decide for themselves whether such ships should be allowed entry or not within the framework of the guidelines issued to them," Mr M.M. Saggi, Nautical Advisor to the Government, told Business Line.

Calling for further "fine-tuning" of the implementation mechanism on the ISPS Code, Mr Saggi indicated that there could be "teething problems" when the Code actually comes into force from July 1, specifically while dealing with non-compliant ships.

India and Singapore were the only two maritime nations that are so far fully compliant with the ISPS Code, beating the July 1 deadline set by the IMO, earning the praise of the global maritime regulator. "All our ports, ships and ship building/repair yards are fully compliant with the ISPS Code," Mr Saggi disclosed. These include 12 major ports, 33 minor ports, three shipbuilding/repair yards and 175 foreign-going ships.

"We have approved their plans which are already in their possession. We have also intimated the IMO about our compliance status," he said.

According to Mr Saggi, the ports should take a balanced view while dealing with non-compliant ships without compromising on security aspects prescribed by IMO. "If you allow too many non-compliant ships to come, then our ports would get a bad name globally," he observed. On the contrary, if you apply the Code strictly, then ports would stand to lose business.

"We have given them the guidelines and on a case-to-case basis, it will be up to the ports to decide whether to allow entry to non-compliant ships or not," he said.

Mr Saggi made it clear that the government will not bear the burden of complying with the ISPS Code. "It will have to be borne by the ports themselves. Whether the ports can absorb the burden or pass it on to the users will be left entirely to their commercial judgment. Eventually when the costs go up, somebody will have to pay for it," he said, adding that worldover, many ports were considering a security levy to meet the extra costs arising out of complying with the ISPS Code. For instance, the Port of Felixstowe will levy £20 for each in-coming container and £10 for each out-going box.