ISPS Code ensures ports nationwide free from intrusions

LABUAN: The Malaysian Marine Department will further enhance the security of ships and port facilities through the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) to ensure ports nationwide free from any elements of intrusion.

Its Industrial Control Division director Datuk Hazman Hussein said the ISPS Code exercise “Ex-National” involving 13 government enforcement agencies would be strengthened to tailor it to the current situation.

‘This exercise is needed and will be held every year with all the relevant government agencies working together and ensure we are working towards the same direction of safeguarding our ports from any intrusion,” he told reporters after witnessing the exercise at the Labuan Marine Jetty here yesterday.

He said the exercise was needed to determine the effectiveness of the communication and coordination procedures in response to the maritime security incidents between the Designated Authority (DA), government agencies, Maritime Transport Security Officer (MTSO), Maritime Facility Security Officer (MFSO), and ISPS Code Security Committee.

Hazman said at least 131 ports across the country are subject to the implementation of the ISPS Code, which is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to perceived threats to ships and port facilities.

The objectives of the ISPS Code among others are to establish an international framework involving cooperation between relevant government agencies and shipping and port industries to detect security threats and take preventive measures; to establish respective roles and responsibilities of the government agencies and shipping and port industries for ensuring maritime security. – Bernama