MINISTER PICKERSGILL OPENS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS POLICE CONFERENCE

Minister Robert Pickersgill opened the 35th annual conference of the International Association of Airports and Seaports Police (IAASP) at the Wyndham Hotel on Monday, June 21, 2004.

In opening the conference, Minister Pickersgill welcomed all the participants and noted that Jamaica and Montego Bay were the first country and city respectively to host the conference three times, the other times being 1989 and 1997. He highlighted the fact that this year's meeting is of particular importance in that events of September 11, 2001 in the USA have dramatically changed the world and with it port security. Added to that is the fact that approximately 90% of the world's trade is facilitated through seaports. When the prospects of using ports for terrorist activities is added to the mix, it can be seen how critical it is to have safe and secure ports.

Following the 9/11 attacks on the USA which is Jamaica's major trading partner, the US Congress amended their Merchant Marine Act legislation and enacted the US Maritime Transportation Security Act in 2002. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) also amended the International Convention on the safety of life at sea to incorporate a new International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The ISPS Code will come into effect on July 1, 2004. As of that date, the ISPS Code requires that all ports involved in international trading must be certified as having met a designated security profile.

To meet the requirements of the Code, Jamaica embarked on a specific programme with a number of targets, designed to ensure that the country obtains the required certification by the July 1 deadline.

To this end, the Port Security Programme being implemented by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is far advanced. The main focus has been however, the major ports of the island which are engaged in commercial and Cruise Shipping activities - Port Bustamante in Kingston as well as the ports of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. It has not only been confined to these big ports though as efforts are being expended on small ports and sufferance wharves to ensure the readiness of most, if not all by the deadline of July 1, 2004.

To date, the enhanced security measures are already proving effective in the detection of narcotics and other contraband goods. The PAJ has hired retired or ex-US Customs and Law-Enforcement officials who are both working with the new systems and training Jamaicans in their effective operation. Training workshops have been conducted with all Port Operators and other Maritime interest groups so as to sensitise them about the new developments.

A look at data for 2003 reveals that there were 3,847 ship calls by cargo carriers to Jamaican ports including transshipment, carrying some 25.6 million metric tons. There were also 491 cruise ship calls transporting some 1,124,918 visitors to Jamaica, the first time that the million visitor mark was broken.

The IMO has revealed that to date, 301 of about 5,500 port facilities are in compliance with the ISPS code and that as of July 1, there is the possibility that there will be some disruption in the industry. Various stakeholders are working to address this situation. The PAJ, however is confident that all major ports in the island plus smaller ones will meet the July 1 deadline.

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica is also playing an important role in upgrading the security profile of our seaports. In fact the Authority was recently informed that Jamaica is among 17 states of the 42 submitting their reports which had been approved by the IMO as having maintained their White List status. Securing the White List status confirms Jamaica's credibility as a Maritime State capable of meeting its obligations for the proper regulations of its marine sector in accordance with international standards.

The Conference which opened under the theme 'Port Security - The New Reality' will run for four days culminating with the second session of the annual general meeting.

Jamaica was recognised as a country with a long and healthy involvement in the IAASP with a number of national organizations and agencies including the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Airports Authority of Jamaica and the Port Security Corp having been members from the 1970'