14 JAMAICAN PORTS CERTIFIED UNDER ISPS CODE

Fourteen of Jamaica's ports have been certified by the government, making it possible for them to continue serving as conduits for trade to the USA, under stricter anti-drug and anti-terrorism laws imposed by the USA.

Specifically, the certificates of Compliance of Port Facilities are issued under the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facility (ISPS code).

The announcement of the certification came at a luncheon hosted by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004. The luncheon was addressed by US Ambassador to Jamaica, Sue Cobb.

Ports certified are :

• APM Terminals Jamaica Ltd.
• Kingston Wharves Ltd
• JAMALCO Clarendon Alumina Works - Rocky Point Port
• Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Company - Port Road
• Jamaica Livestock Association Ltd.
• Glencore Alumina (Jamaica) Ltd. - Port Esquivel
• Port of Montego Bay
• Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier
• Reynolds Pier
• Boundbrook Wharf
• Shell Company (WI) Ltd.
• Alumina Partners of Jamaica - Alpart Port Kaiser, Antilles Chemical Co.
• Petrojam Ltd.

Minister Robert Pickersgill noted that this certification was necessary as the US Port and Maritime Security Act now required ports of countries trading with the US to be certified and audited. These audits, he said had to be in accordance with specified security standards as part of the increased global attention to security at seaports and airports in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA.

Additionally, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will begin to enforce its security standards (known as the ISPS Code) for the world's ports staring in July. Minister Pickersgill congratulated the PAJ for its ongoing programme to restructure the security systems in the ports of Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and other smaller ports around the island.

As part of Jamaica's efforts at stemming smuggling at its ports, five VACIS Mobile Cobalt 60 Gamma Ray container inspection systems have been installed at the Port of Kingston. These Units are designed to facilitate the comprehensive inspection of containers and cargo packages to prevent the smuggling of weapons, explosives, drugs and other contraband at the island's major ports.

In addition, the Port Authority has installed a closed-circuit TV system for round-the-clock surveillance and an access control system to electronically control and regulate access to major ports.