Gujarat Maritime Board to enhance ISPS Code features at major ports

Based on Intelligence Bureau (IB) inputs, state-run port regulator Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has initiated the process of upgrading International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code features at its major ship handling ports here, a top GMB official said.

At present, around 11 GMB run major ship handling ports including private ones like Mundra, Pipavav, Hazira and Dahej comply with the ISPS Code and International Safety Management Code for vessels, which is in effect after 9/11 in US.

“ISPS Code is already implemented in 11 ports from where major shipping is handled in Gujarat. We are in the process of upgrading code features based on the feedback from IB,” the official said on the condition of anonymity.

“The code is currently equipped to handle security aspects between ships and the shore that helps in verification of people going from the shore to vessel and vice versa,” he said.

“We have a proposal to put radioactive detection devices at the ports, have night vision cameras, place entry and exit points under electronic surveillance through bio-metric identification cards,” he said.

As part of this project, GMB is also in the process of setting up an Integrated Port Management System (IPMS) wherein all the security systems at the ports will be incorporated, besides data of ships like offloading, the officer said.

“We are in the process of shortlisting vendors for IPMS and shall soon be going in for the tendering process,” the official said.

GMB ports handled 231 million tonnes traffic in 2010-11, which constitutes 26 per cent of the total national cargo handled. The handled traffic by GMB ports was up by over 12 per cent at 231 mt in 2010-11 versus 205.51 mt in 2009-10.

As per International Maritime Organisation(IMO), ISPS Code is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in US.

The code applies to ships on international voyages (including passenger ships, cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, and mobile offshore drilling units) and the port facilities serving such ships.

The Gulf of Khambat or Cambay here has an advanced vessel traffic and management system (VSTM), and a similar radar based system is being implemented in Gulf of Kutch to intensify vigil along the coastline here.

“An advanced radar based VSTM shall also be in place in Gulf of Kutch by December as part of coastal security management in Gujarat,” the GMB official said.

Since 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks through sea route, modernisation of marine police and strengthening coastal security has been high on the agenda of coastal states.

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