ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Inter-American Committee on Ports
FOURTH MEETING OF THE OEA/Ser.W/XIII.4.4
INTER-AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON PORTS CIDI/CIP/doc.157/05 September 13-16, 2005 September 13, 2005
Maracaibo, Venezuela Original: English
FINAL REPORT
SEVENTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE
TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP ON PORT SECURITY (TAGPS)
(Presented by the delegation of the United States)
FINAL REPORT
SEVENTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE
TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP ON PORT SECURITY (TAGPS)
Summary of 2004-2005 Activities
The Technical Advisory Group on Port Security (TAGPS) held its Sixth Meeting on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 in Managua, Nicaragua. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Richard Lolich, delegate of the United States of America; the vice-chair was held by Mr. Alfonso Campins, delegate of Guatemala. The following TAG member countries attended: Argentina, Barbados, Brasil, Canadá, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Other member countries of the OAS participated, as well: Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Dominica, Haiti, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago. Other Attendees included the delegation of Spain as permanent observer, and Russia, as well as the following associate members: Port Security Program of Guatemala and Stevedoring Services of America. The list of participants is attached to this report as Annex A.
Also, the TAGPS held a Special Meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 in Miami, Florida, in conjunction with the SecurePort 2005 conference. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Richard Lolich, delegate of the United States of America; the vice-chair was held by Mr. Alfonso Campins, delegate of Guatemala. The TAG meeting agenda included: Strategic Framework for Inter-American Port Security Cooperation; ISPS Code Compliance – Next Steps; OAS Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) Update; U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security Program Overview and Status Reports from OAS Member States; Training (a) Inter-American Port Security Training Program (Andean seminar hosted in March by Ecuador and Mercosur seminar hosted in May by Brazil); Port Security Funding Issues -- Experiences of Member States with fees; and U.S. Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2005. The following member countries attended the TAG meeting: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brasil, Canadá, Costa Rica, Dominica, Haiti, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama, Dominican Republic, St. Christopher and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Other member countries of the OAS participated, as well: Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Dominica, Haiti, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The following were key activities of TAGPS 2004-2005 agenda:
1. Delegations discussion on the Status of ISPS Code Compliance in their countries
2. "Strategic Framework for Inter-American Port Security Cooperation" – Advancing To Summit of the Americas
3. Regional Coordination
4. Special Meeting and TAGPS Participation in SecurePort 2005 Panels
Report on 2004 TAGPS Highlights
Accomplishment of the 2004 Inter-American Port Security Training Program (IAPSTP), was assumed by the OAS Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE) as collaborating office with the Maritime Administration of the United States (MARAD), and together are in charge of the operational execution of IAPSTP. The following four regional courses were conducted in English and Spanish, according to the participation: Caribbean, May 14-18 in Jamaica; Central America, June 14-18 in Dominican Republic; South America (MERCOSUR) October 14-18 in Argentina; and Central America, November 1-5 in El Salvador.
The Western Hemispheric Conference on Port Security "SecurePort 2004", was held in Miami in February 2004 and organized by the TAG on Port Security and sponsored by the CIP as an official special meeting. At SecurePort 2004, the results of the “ISPS Self-Assessment” project questionnaire was reported to the conference. The questionnaire focused on identifying port security deficiencies and the status of implementation of the "International Ship and Port Facility Security Code" (ISPS). Most of the member States completed the survey and provided their reports to the Chair in advance of the SecurePort 2004. The presentation of the project results transferred and shared information for improving security practices among the member countries of the region. In addition, the "Guide to Understanding and Implementing the ISPS Code" was handed to the participants. Also at SecurePort 2004, the "Strategic Framework for the Inter-American Port Security Cooperation" was originally approved.
The Caribbean Basin Maritime Security Alliance (CBMSA), Washington DC, was organized by Caribbean Central American Action and the Florida Ports Council, with the support of MARAD, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and contributions by FTAA, Inc. of Florida, and companies of the private sector. CBMSA launched a pilot program to assess the implementation of the ISPS security requirements in the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Delegations Discussion on the Status of ISPS Code Compliance in their countries
The following participants shared their experiences:
Guatemala. Mr. Alfonso Campins emphasized the necessity to fulfill the new demands of port security through the Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition (BASC). The BASC system stresses the importance of coordinating, monitoring, and inspecting all the cargoes involved in the process of port security with the purpose of protecting and promoting a greater level of commercial activity. He emphasized the importance of this system and its relation to ISPS Code (Document CECIP/CIP/Inf.6/04 contains the presentation).
El Salvador. Mr. Marco Arroyo of the Comisión Ejecutiva Portuaria Autónoma (CEPA), responsible institution of administering the ports, airports, and railroads of El Salvador, presented the security profiles of Port of Acajutla, accredited as a “secure port” by the Port Naval Administration of El Salvador (document CECIP/CIP/Inf.7/04). The certification essentially includes the port area "declared", divided and classified according to the characteristics, importance, and level of restriction of the area at issue. The process included the evaluation, protection, mitigation actions, infrastructure investment, and security technology, the elaboration and implementation of a security plan and the verification of standards. He remarked that important infrastructure investments have taken place to secure the perimeter, security equipment, communication, closed circuit television, alarm systems and controls vehicular and pedestrian accesses, as well as in qualification and restructuration of the personnel. He mentioned that for 2005 even more investments will be done in security and necessary steps will be taken place to acquire equipment for the inspection of containers. The Port of Acajutla of El Salvador, through the CEPA, is executing security policies to guarantee its continuous operation.
United States. Mr. Michael Brown, United States delegation (Coast Guard, International Port Security Program office), mentioned that his country enacted the national Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) to comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ISPS Code. The MTSA law designated the Coast Guard to implement the ISPS at the ports of the United States. Finally, he indicated that his country is in the process of elaborating a maritime security plan at the national level.
Paraguay. Mr. Juan Carlos Muñoz, of the delegation of Paraguay, mentioned that his country implemented the ISPS Code, certifying 3 state and 26 private ports. Paraguay, relied on the support of the naval prefecture of Argentina and the general prefecture of Uruguay in the accomplishments of training courses and risk evaluations of its port facilities. In that sense, he informed that to date 130 port facilities and ship security officials are trained, and that they count with 3 ISPS Code internal auditors and 6 recognized organisms of protection. In the process the embassy of the United States was supportive. Lastly, he talked about the joint efforts that Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Uruguay have been doing in establishing joint action and security plans, according to the new exigencies of regional security.
“Strategic Framework for Inter-American Port Security Cooperation” Discussion
Ambassador Marcello Colombo, of the delegation of Argentina, presented the document
"Strategic Framework for Inter-American Port Security Cooperation" for adoption by resolution of the CIP Executive Board at this meeting. Ambassador Colombo reminded that while the Strategic Framework was adopted by resolution at the special CIP Western Hemispheric Conference on Port Security (Miami; February, 2004), the document requires advancement by CIP Executive Board and the full Committee in their formal meetings. He mentioned that the document had not been presented to the General Assembly of the OAS as had been prescribed in the preamble section of the Strategic Framework document. Also, it was pointed out that development of an Action Plan for implementing the Strategic Framework, must wait at least until full adoption by the CIP and then until funding can be obtained in order for the Action Plan to be operative.
Ambassador Colombo emphasized that the Strategic Framework document establishes principles, objectives, and specific measures against terrorism and organized crime in ports. He urged the member countries of the Executive Committee to evaluate the Strategic Framework and for all delegations of the Inter-American Committee on Ports to
prepare for its approval at the September 2005 meeting of the full Committee. The Strategic Framework was adopted by CECIP/RES.12 (VI-04) in Managua, December 3,
2004.
Regional Coordination
Mr. Michael Brown, United States delegation (USCG International Port Security Program office), emphasized the importance of utilizing the "ISPS Self-Verification Checklist National Level National Review", among the member countries of the OAS as an assessment tool for determining ISPS implementation status. In that sense, the Technical Advisory Group on Port Security (TAG/PS) will put into action an "Implementation Assistance Program of the ISPS Code", that will operate as follows: (1) The member countries of the OAS that require assistance, will contact and inform the chair of the TAG/PS; (2) the TAG/PS chair will identify other member countries with the
ability and disposition to participate, coordinate, and evaluate the conditions of the ISPS Code implementation in those countries; (3) the referred group of member countries of the OAS, will make collaboration visits, in order to exchange information and better practices. Finally, the group will recommend the specific port security challenges and provide the country a plan on how to achieve compliance with the ISPS Code. The TAG/PS chair will partner with the USCG and OAS CICTE regarding staffing and resources to ensure the feasibility of this initiative. This project was adopted by CECIP/RES.13 (VI-04) in Managua, December 3, 2004.
International Law Enforcement Cooperation
Mr. Richard Strobel, United States delegation (U.S. National Central Bureau of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), mentioned that INTERPOL is interested in supporting the OAS countries in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. In this sense, INTERPOL facilitates, coordinates, and cooperates with the police authorities of each country with a global information system, as well as support in police operations to countries upon request.
SecurePort 2005 Conference Presentation
Mr. Raymond Barberesi, United States delegation (Marine Transportation Specialists Corporation), proposed the need to organize a second conference on port security to analyze the status of implementation of security plans, determine the technological, resources, and cooperation needs of each country. He presented a proposal for SecurePort 2005 that included the venue, date, objectives, program, among others.
2005 Work Plan Accomplishments
1. Inter-American Port Security Training Program (IAPSTP) seminars were executed in 2005, directed by MARAD (TAG chair) and supported and funded by the Inter- American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE). An Andean seminar was hosted in March by Ecuador, and a Mercosur seminar was hosted in May by Brazil. As a direct benefit to all delegations of the CIP, the IAPSTP is conducted by MARAD and CICTE as a joint initiative of the U.S. and OAS.
2. Continued coordination of the "Strategic Framework for Inter- American Port Security Cooperation", as adopted by CECIP/RES.12 (VI-04) in Managua, December 3, 2004, for introduction at Summit of the Americas in Argentina, November 2005.
3. Initiate a CIP ISPS Implementation Assistance program to provide experts to assess the conditions in other OAS states seeking assistance to determine the implementation status of the ISPS Code in their countries; as adopted by CECIP/RES.13 (VI-04) in Managua, December 3, 2004.
4. SecurePort 2005 Conference will be organized under the direction of Marine Transportation Specialists Corporation, and Seatrade and Hutman Marketing, Inc., with support by the TAG/PS chair, vice chairs, and region coordinators. This conference will be held in June 2005 in Miami, Florida and will focus on the maintenance of hemispheric port security, including ISPS compliance and the OAS Strategic Framework for Port Security Cooperation. The Executive Board voted by resolution to recommend that the CIP sponsor a Hemispheric port security conference in 2006.
TAGPS Officer Assignments
The Chair designated the following Vice-Chairs: Alfonso Campins of Guatemala for Operations; Raymond Barberesi of the United States for Coordination; Training is vacant until determined. Also assigned were the following Regional Coordinators of the TAG objectives: Andean countries: Ecuador; MERCOSUR countries: Argentina; countries of the English Caribbean: Barbados; countries of Central America and the Spanish Caribbean: Guatemala; and North America countries: Canada.
ANEXO A / ANNEX A
LISTA DE PARTICIPANTES / LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
PAISES MIEMBROS DEL CTC / TAG MEMBER STATES
ARGENTINA
Oscar OSEIRA
Director Nacional de Puertos
Subsecretaría de Puertos y Vías Navegables
Av. España 2221, 2do piso, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: (5411) 4362-2600 / 2699
E-mail:
Marcelo COLOMBO
Ministro
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: (5411) 4819-7552 Fax: (5411) 4801-7202
E-mail:
Luis A. DIEZ
Interventor
Administración General de Puertos S.E.
Huergo 431, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: (5411) 4331-0298 / 4342-5621 / Fax: (5411) 4342-1340
E-mail:
Pablo A. CONSTANZO
Secretario en Asuntos Internacionales
Prefectura Naval Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: (54 11) 318-7455 / 7433
E-mail: /
BARBADOS
Everton WALTERS
General Manager
Barbados Port Authority
University Row, Princess Alice Highway, Bridgetown, Barbados
Tel: (246) 430-4705 / Fax: (246) 429-5348
E-mail:
BRASIL
Paulo DE TARSO
Diretor Ministério dos Transportes
Departamento de Programas de Transportes Aquaviários
Esplanada dos Ministerios Bloco “R” Anexo - 2º andar - Ala Leste Brasilia DF, Brasil
Tel: 55 (61) 311-7760 / 7730 / Fax: 55 (61) 311-7943
E-mail: