The Hindu Business Line : High powered moots steps to enhance port security

Security issues
Panel recommends national level body for standardisation, regulation and oversight.
It also recommends leveraging IT to meet challenges of port security.

V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi, Oct 10 The High Powered Committee set up by the Union Shipping Ministry to review the security preparedness of major ports and shipyards in the country has come out with a comprehensive study on the security scenario in the maritime sector. It has also made a series of recommendations for strengthening the security of ports and shipyards.

Considering the vulnerability of the shipping sector, the Committee, headed by the Chairman of the Cochin Port Trust, Mr N. Ramachandran, recommended several measures to enhance security, but it has also cautioned that such additional measures should be calibrated to ensure that there is no slowing down of operational efficiencies or throughput.

Standardisation

The committee has also emphasised the need for standardisation of systems and processes, to meet world standards of operations and security protocols.

There will be disaster management and recovery plans for all ports which would be rehearsed regularly.

It has also recommended the setting up of a body at the national level for standardization, regulation and oversight.

As regards cost of security, the Committee has recommended that additional costs should not be passed on to the trade, as it could make Indian imports and exports less competitive.

It has said that the additional costs should be borne by the Central Government.

The Committee has strongly favoured standardisation of Port security to meet world standards and leveraging of IT and modern technology to meet modern day challenges to security.

Mr Ramachandran formally submitted the report to the Shipping Minister, Mr T.R. Baalu, on Wednesday in New Delhi. He also made a presentation to the Minister and Secretary, Shipping, Mr A.K. Mohapatra.

It may be recalled that the Ministry has taken a series of initiatives to improve the security of the country’s maritime infrastructure.

The Minister July 31, 2006 had chaired a meeting in Chennai to review security of ports and maritime supply chains. Subsequently, the Minister and Secretary, Shipping, held a series of meetings to review security.

The Ministry has also taken the initiative to articulate a maritime security policy.