Maritime Industry Committed to Meet Security Deadline
D1/2004
14 January 2004
Security plans will need to be submitted by the Australian industry to the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) by 1 March this year.
The head of Maritime Security at DOTARS, John Kilner, said the Australian Government and maritime industry participants had made good progress towards meeting the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) 1 July deadline for implementing new counter terrorism measures.
"DOTARS has already received a number of security plans well before the 1 March timeframe. I am impressed by the quality of the plans and level of cooperation between the participants," Mr Kilner said.
"We have a team of people in the Department assisting industry in each region to meet their obligations under the new security requirements.
"As long as we continue to get cooperation and commitment from state and territory agencies and the maritime industry, we are well placed to acheiving the 1 July deadline.
Under the new legislation, passed in December last year, DOTARS will regulate maritime security measure for around 70 ports, 300 port facilities and 70 Australian ships.
"Once assessed and approved by DOTARS, the measures outlined in the security plans will be implemented locally by the ports and port facilities, as well as by Australian flagged ships," Mr Kilner said.
"We all recognise the importance of seaborne trade to Australia and the impact an attack or unlawful act could have.
"Australia is a vital part of a global shipping netowork and meeting these requirements will enable us to continue effective maritime trade worth over $180 billion to the Australian economy per annum."
Guidance material is available on the Department's website.
Further Information:
Veronika Sain; (02) 6274 8031
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What does the Maritime Security Act really mean?
With the passing of new maritime transport security legislation through the Commonwealth Parliament in December, the port, maritime and shipping industries and state and Australian governments are gearing-up to ensure a tight maritime security regime is in place by the international deadline of 1 July.
But what does this really mean?
The Maritime Transport Security Act (MTSA) implements a maritime security regime in Australia that meets the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation's International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The new legislation will regulate the security arrangements of around 70 Australian ports, 300 port facilities and 70 Australian ships.
Behind the Act is a practical and adaptable framework that will provide the bases for ongoing maritime security in Australia while being consistent with international obligations and existing Australian border protection arrangements.
The Act establishes an 'outcomes based' regulatory approach to safeguarding the maritime industry against unlawful interference or a possible terrorist attack. This provides some flexibility for maritime industry participants to develop security plans that recognise different security measures will be required to deal with different circumstances.
The Australian Government, through the Department of Transport and Regional Services, will regulate, monitor and audit security measures to ensure industry compliance with the new arrangements.
One of the key features of the Act is a nationally consistent enforcement regime, which includes compliance checking of regulated foreign ships that enter Australian waters. These vessels must provide pre-arrival information 48 hours before entering a port and must have a valid International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC).
Compliance checking will be performed by Australian Government officials who will be able to request compliance information and perform physical inspections of vessels and facilities. A regulated foreign ship failing to comply may by subject to control directions, which can have a number of consequences for the ship, including detention, delay or expulsion from Australian waters.The cost of control measures would be considerable, providing a strong incentive to comply with the new security requirements.
Australia has a reputation for strictly enforcing maritime safety and environmental requirements and this reputation will be maintained for maritime security.
Continued cooperation from all levels of government and from the maritime industry participants will ensure that there is an effective preventive security regime in place by 1 July 2004.