PON security audit finds deficiencies
RAY SMUTS
AS THE world’s ports and liner operators push ahead to meet the July 1 deadline for implementation of the International Ship and Port Security code (ISPS), an independent internal security audit by P&O Nedlloyd Southern Africa has indicated that deficiencies at the port of Cape Town could compromise their own arrangements.
“I don’t think they would say any different and the question is whether the Cape Town port authorities will be ready by July 1,” Barry New, P&O Nedlloyd MD told FTW last week.
New believes that any port or operator not already well on the way to achieving compliance for ISPS will struggle to meet the cut-off point. The TT Club, a global provider of insurance for ports and terminals, has warned of the “very real legal and commercial dangers” should the deadline be missed.
The first of the ISPS’s two stipulations - what amounts to the mandatory section - relates to the need to adhere to sections like detection and deterrents, roles and responsibility, the collection and exchange of information, methodology of assessing security, and ensuring security measures including access control are in place.
These are what he would term “good sense business principles that should be in place as standard practice”.
He is nevertheless fully supportive of the new ISPS measure. “ISPS becomes an essential part of day to day business as everybody needs to be security-conscious and alert for obvious reasons.
“If you look at the potential for untoward, or terrorist-related activities with regard to the maritime activity, the dangers are there for all to see. There is no question there has to be a high state of alert.”
In addition to the two security audits already conducted by P&O Nedlloyd Southern Africa, the company is constantly engaged in vigilance and awareness security-related campaigns.
While not inclined to dwell on why the Mother City port’s security camera system is still not in place, he says simply: “Sometimes you have to come off the fence. Even though technology is constantly improving there comes a time when you have to lay an egg.”
