Ports to which the Canadian Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code apply require a security assessment to be approved by Transport Canada. The objectives of completing the assessment are to assist port operators in determining the status of existing security measures and systems and to assist them in complying with the new security requirements of the MTSR and the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, 1974, including the ISPS Code.

The Port Security Assessment (PSA) consists of a number of components, each of which must be addressed for the assessment to be completed and approved. The PSA focuses on four main areas: assets and infrastructure, threats, countermeasures and procedures, and vulnerabilities. The preparation of the PSA requires knowledge and information of operational and security-related activities at ports in order to be completed.

Ports that only handle occasional international traffic must also complete a security assessment. Transport Canada will determine how to apply the MTSR and the ISPS Code to ports on a case-by-case basis, once a PSA has been completed.

Port operators are responsible for completing the attached PSA Questionnaire and Security Risk Analysis Table. Transport Canada will provide specific security-related input for individual PSAs, if required.

Consultants may be used to assist port operators in the preparation of the PSA Questionnaire and Security Risk Analysis Table. Port operators are responsible for ensuring that consultants possess the appropriate skills, training and qualifications required to assist in preparing these PSA documents, and should be guided by Parts A and B of the ISPS Code.

Based on this completed PSA, a port security plan (PSP) will also need to be prepared and submitted for Transport Canada’s approval. In addition, a port security officer (PSO) will need to be identified for each port.

The relevant portions of security assessments to be conducted by port operators, as addressed in the PSA Questionnaire, should be submitted to your regional Security and Emergency Preparedness office as soon as possible.

You will be contacted by a Regional Security Inspector following receipt and review of the PSA Questionnaire and advised as to the status of the PSA’s Final Report at that time. Direction with respect to the development of a PSP will also be given following receipt and review of the PSA.