U.S. Submits to IMO re Maritime Security

The U.S. Coast Guard has submitted, on behalf of the United States Government, recommended measures that it believes should be undertaken internationally to improve maritime security for the purpose of preventing and suppressing acts of terrorism against shipping. The recommended measures include advancing the date by which automatic identification systems must be installed on ships from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2004; requiring the preparation of ship, offshore facility, and port facility security plans; designation of ship and company security officers; seafarer identification verification; port vulnerability assessments; port of origin container examinations; cooperation with the World Customs Organization; information on the ship and its cargo and people onboard; means of ship alerting; and ship security equipment. Source: HK Law