KENYA Ports Authority is on course to meet the July 1 deadline for the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code, managing director Brown Odego has said. 

There were fears among Ugandan importers using the port of Mombasa that Kenya might fail to beat the deadline for the ISPS, which is used to ensure early and efficient spread and exchange of security-related information and formulation of plans on how to react to various security issues. 

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) officials meeting in Kampala recently said that, following a 75 per cent compliance score declared by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) officials for the port, they would beat the ISPS code compliance deadline.

"The compliance is far higher than the 45 per cent score we had awarded ourselves. The remaining 25 per cent is only a matter of legislation," said Mr Ondego. He was speaking at a Northern Corridor stakeholders' consultative forum meeting held in Kampala on April 22. 

Mr Ondego said the legislation for the mandatory requirements of the ISPS code was in draft form and by July 1, KPA will be compliant. All ports are required to implement security improvement measures prescribed by the ISPS code, which was created to prevent international and local acts of terrorism on the port and shipping facilities.

The purpose of the ISPS code is to establish an international framework involving co-operation between contracting governments, government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries to detect and assess security threats and take preventive measures affecting ships or port facilities. 

The ISPS code is a mandatory requirement developed under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and applies to all vessels that are certified with SOLAS, are over 500 tonnes and engage in international voyages.

The ISPS code will come into force together with the Seafarers Identity Document (SID), which also comes into effect on the same date.
 
 
 

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