The Hindu Business Line : Kochi port complies with security code

THE Kochi port has received the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code compliance certificate. The port has been declared ISPS Code compliant and the Statement of Compliance was issued on June 30. A press release issued here said that the port, over the last one-year, has been working towards implementing all the measures stipulated in the ISPS Code.

The Director General of Shipping along with Indian Register of Shipping carried out compliance audit of the port in May this year and found that the port had complied with all provisions stipulated in the ISPS Code.

The port being located on the periphery of the Kochi city is vulnerable to infiltration due to proximity to private/commercial buildings and large water front area where smaller inland as well as coastal vessels are plying.

Recognising the vulnerability of merchant ships to terrorist attacks in the wake of tragic events of September 11, 2001, the International Maritime Organisation felt the urgent need to take steps to enhance the security of ships and ports so as to prevent the use of merchant ships in terrorist acts. Accordingly, the ISPS code was promulgated within the existing Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.

The ISPS code came into force from July 1 this year and is mandatory to all ships of over 500 gross tonnage engaged in international voyages and the ports that receive such ships.

All the major ports in India have been declared ISPS code compliant before the deadline. If any ship is not ISPS code compliant, it may be subjected to a more detailed inspection, delay/detention, restriction of operation/movement or denial of entry into the Kochi port limits.