Caribbean Sub-regional Workshop on Best Practices in Port Security and Implementation of the ISPS Code

The CICTE Secretariat organized the fourth in the series of Sub-regional Workshops on Best Practices in Port Security and Implementation of the ISPS Code from July 27-30 in Point Lisas, Trinidad, in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Transport Canada, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO). Nineteen participants attended the workshop, representing seven Caribbean OAS Member States (Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago). Member State representatives consisted of Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs), Captains of the Port, customs officials, and representatives of government agencies and ministries responsible for maritime security at a national level. The over-arching objective of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of the participating States to effectively comply with the security obligations established by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and other international maritime security standards. Key themes discussed included challenges to implementation of the ISPS Code, risk assessment and management, access controls, cruise ship security, container security, reviewing and revising existing port facility security plans, security audits, and public-private partnerships. The workshop format facilitated the sharing of perspectives, knowledge and information among the participants with the intention of promoting increased communication and cooperation among those with a common responsibility for promoting maritime security in the Caribbean region. Presentations by each national delegation as well as a range of experts on key aspects of maritime security and ISPS implementation provided a substantive foundation for subsequent discussions and working group sessions. Particular focus was given to identifying common challenges faced and best practices for addressing these. Presentations and break-out discussions were supplemented with a visit to a port facility to conduct a mock port facility security audit and a hands-on demonstration of container search techniques.

For more information, contact the manager assigned to the program