1 The amendments to the Annex to the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS),
1974 and the introduction of the International Ship and Port Facility
Security Code (ISPS Code), both adopted by
the Conference of SOLAS Contracting Governments
on Maritime Security on 12 December 2002, are due to enter into force
on 1 July 2004.
2 The urgent need for early action by all parties
concerned (Governments, port authorities and the shipping industry)
to ensure that the maritime security regime established by the 2002
Conference is implemented by 1 July 2004 is highlighted in both Conference
resolution 6 and MSC/Circ.1067 on
“Early implementation of measures to enhance maritime security”.
3 The importance and significance of IMO's work
on maritime security was also recognized by the Council and the Assembly
in agreeing that the Organization's theme for the current year should
be: “IMO 2004: Focus on maritime security”. However, recent
surveys carried out on the status of implementation of the security
measures introduced by the aforementioned SOLAS amendments
and the ISPS Code raise concerns that not
enough progress has been achieved so far. This has been reported by
Governments and other interested parties (including industry organizations
such as ICS, IAPH, BIMCO, IACS, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO). Given
that the purpose of the new measures is to protect shipping against
terrorist attacks, the information received gives rise to grave concern
also from the point of view of the serious repercussions to ships,
shipping companies, port facilities and the international shipborne
trade if the situation does not improve by next July and parties concerned
are found not in compliance with the measures. It is also worrying
from the point of view of the very substance of implementation of
the measures if, as a result of last minute bottlenecks, plans are
approved and certificates are issued hastily without proper verification.
4 In view of the above, SOLAS Contracting
Governments, port authorities, classification societies, recognized
security organizations, training institutions and all other parties
concerned are invited to redouble their efforts to protect shipping
against terrorism by taking action as soon as possible to ensure compliance
with the requirements of SOLAS chapter XI-2
and the ISPS Code at as early a stage as possible.
Similarly, Administrations are again invited to advise companies and
ships operating under their countries' flag to take appropriate steps
to increase awareness of the potential dangers so that their crews
are extremely vigilant and alert to any security threat they may encounter
or be suspicious of, whether they are in port, at offshore terminals
or underway.
5 Pursuant to the foregoing, Member Governments
are requested to advise the Organization of the current status of
their implementation of the aforementioned security measures and to
provide the Secretariat with appropriate progress reports in the run
up to the 1 July entry-into-force date. Member Governments are reminded
of the mechanism for notifying compliance with SOLAS regulation
XI-2/13 (on Communication of information), as described in Circular
letter No.2514 dated 8 December 2003.
6 Member Governments and international organizations
are further invited to bring this circular to the attention of national
Designated Authorities, Administrations and all other parties concerned
and responsible for the implementation of IMO's maritime security
measures.
7 This circular is issued following consultations
between the Secretary-General and the Chairman of the Maritime Safety
Committee.