Build the capacity of OAS Member States to effectively comply with the security requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) for protection of port facilities and cruise ships terminals.

CICTE’s objective is to strengthen counter-terrorism and law enforcement capabilities; access controls to and within individual ports; cargo security, customs and immigration controls, including police and guards procedures; crisis management exercises and security awareness in general.

This program has three sets of activities:

a)     Port facility security and training needs assessments, and follow-up training

The assessments and training are performed by private contractors, hired through an OAS competitive bidding process. Based on the assessments, CICTE tailors security training to mitigate the aforementioned risks confronting each Member State. Additionally, the training needs assessments also evaluate significant security precautions, as outlined within the ISPS Code, such as access control to restricted areas, handling of cargo, ship stores, unaccompanied baggage, and facility security monitoring procedures. The subsequent training specifically addresses basic aspects of port facilities’ security, access control, law enforcement procedures and best practices. Although the program addresses both cargo and cruise ships terminals, it emphasizes the latter, since cruise ships terminals are considered potentially more at risk.

b)     Crisis Management at port facilities: training and practical exercises

The Crisis Management at port facilities activities will be implemented as tabletop exercises, which will be preceded by a one-day training on ISPS Code procedures and the preparation of the scenario. The aim of the exercise will be to effectively assess the complex and multi-faceted nature of the response capacities and mandates of each of the actors involved in a crisis situation at port facilities and encourage discussions that would tackle eventual vulnerabilities in port facilities security plans.

c)     Implementation of International Maritime Security Standards: Workshops on Best Practices

Following a sub-regional pattern, the CICTE Secretariat organizes and conducts workshops—one for each targeted sub-region: 1) Southern Cone, 2) the Andes, 3) Central America, and 4) the Caribbean—on best practices in the implementation of international maritime security standards. The aim is to promote within each sub-region a better understanding, coordination, cooperation and exchange of best practices on port security threats and methods to counter them.

Senior and middle level government employees of a port authority security department; officials responsible for conducting port security operations or contracted by the government agency as the Government's Responsible Security Organization, per the IMO/ISPS Code, to provide that service to a port authority; customs, immigration and other law enforcement officials working in the sea ports, and other personnel involved in physical security at the respective facilities.