The Ministerial Statement on Security in the International Maritime Transport Sector adopted by the Ministerial Conference on International Transport Security, Tokyo (held from 12 to 13 January 2006), welcomed and supported the vigorous maritime security activities undertaken by relevant international organizations, particularly, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The statement stressed the importance of ensuring continued compliance with the provisions of chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (1974 SOLAS Convention) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), which were adopted under the auspices of IMO in December 2002 and entered into force in July 2004.

The statement also welcomed the adoption, under the auspices of IMO in October 2005, of the Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, 1988 and the Protocol of 2005 to the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf, 1988.

A continuing high priority must be given to addressing vulnerabilities in international maritime transport by promoting further enhancement of international maritime security, bearing in mind the significance of ensuring the efficient and legitimate flow of people and goods, the statement said.

The Ministers noted, with satisfaction, the adoption in September 2005 of the Jakarta Statement on Enhancement of Safety, Security and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (the Jakarta Statement), and in particular the agreement that a mechanism be established by the three littoral States to meet on a regular basis with user States, the shipping industry and others with an interest in keeping the Straits of Malacca and Singapore open for navigation.

The Ministerial Conference invited IMO to undertake further work in relation to enhancing maritime security, including:

• the consideration, in cooperation with WCO, of the development and adoption, as necessary, of appropriate measures to enhance the security of the maritime transport of containers in the international supply chain, while respecting efficiency and international harmonization; and
• undertaking a study and making, as necessary, recommendations to enhance the security of ships other than those already covered by SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, in an effort to protect them from becoming targets of acts of terrorism, piracy, or armed robbery and to prevent them from being exploited or used as means for committing such acts.

The Ministers:

• resolved to take necessary actions, as appropriate, in response to the Jakarta Statement while respecting fully the sovereignty of the littoral States, and noted with appreciation the offer by Malaysia to host a follow-up meeting;
• urged all Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention to ensure the continued compliance of port facilities located within their territory with the requirements of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code by appropriate measures which may include conducting inspections or audits of the port facilities located within their territory;
• resolved to share, to the extent possible, in an effort to promote effective implementation, best practices on the implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code in relation to security in port facilities;
• resolved to continue, in cooperation with IMO and other appropriate fora, to provide necessary assistance and support to Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention in enhancing their ability and capacity to implement appropriate security measures at their port facilities through further international and regional efforts; and
• agreed to further promote international co-operation in the education and training of Port State Control (PSC) officers, through relevant regional Memoranda of Understandings for PSC, and other officers specifically designated to exercise control and compliance measures, in order to promote effective implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code.

IMO Secretary-General Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos participated in the Conference and delivered a keynote speech.

Also participating was Mr. Nicolaos Charalambous, Head of IMO's Maritime Security Section.

Transport Ministers from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States of America participated in the Conference.

______________

Briefing 01/2006
13 January 2006

IMO - the International Maritime Organization - is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Web site: www.imo.org

For further information please contact:
Lee Adamson, Head, Public Information Services on 020 7587 3153 (media@imo.org) or
Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (media@imo.org).