MARINE SECURITY- INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY
CODE
On July 1, 2004, the International Maritime Organization's (IMO)
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code took effect. The
IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on the
improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from vessels.
Transport Canada has implemented the ISPS Code through the Marine
Transportation Security Regulations, which apply to commercial vessels of 500
tons (gross tonnage) or more, or carrying more than 12 passengers and travelling
between countries, and marine facilities and ports serving such vessels. The
regulations require such things as the completion of security assessments and
security plans, and the designation of security officers.
Canadian marine facilities, vessels and ports that meet the requirements of
the regulations have been issued an International Ship Security Certificate.
These certificates are required to facilitate entry to ISPS Code-compliant
marine facilities in Canada and abroad. They are valid for five years and
subject to periodic verification.
In addition to implementing the IMO requirements, Canada's regulations extend these requirements to:
- cargo vessels of 100 tons (gross tonnage) or
more other than towing vessels;
- towing vessels that tow barges carrying certain
dangerous cargoes; and
- marine facilities and ports that serve the above
vessels.
During the late summer and fall of 2003, Transport Canada held a number of
meetings with marine stakeholders on ISPS Code issues in order to develop the
new regulations. The department also formed four working groups, which
included representatives of government, the marine sector and labour groups,
to help formulate draft regulations in key sectors of the marine industry
covered by the ISPS Code: vessels, marine facilities, mobile offshore drilling
units and the Marine Facility Restricted Area Access Clearance Program - a
program designed to control access to certain areas in marine facilities.
Moreover, Transport Canada and United States Coast Guard have worked
closely together to coordinate and harmonize the marine security regimes of
the two countries so that Canadian-flagged ships that meet Canadian security
requirements can enter U.S. harbours, and U.S.-flagged vessels that meet U.S.
requirements can enter Canadian harbours.
Transport Canada continues to work diligently to further improve the
security of the transportation system in Canada and takes all reasonable
actions to promote heightened safety and security in all modes of
transportation.
May 2006
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