Best Practices Workshop on Port Security for the Andean Region

From June 9-13, 2008, the CICTE Secretariat conducted, in conjunction with Transport Canada and the U.S. Coast Guard, a “Workshop for the Andean Region on Best Practices in Port Security and Implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.”  The event was hostd by the Government of Brazil through CONPORTOS (Commissão Nacional de Segurança Pública Nos Portos Terminais e Vias Navegáveis). 

The principal objective of the course was to strengthen the capacity of the OAS Member States of the Andean Region to effectively comply with the security obligations established by the ISPS Code.  To achieve this, the workshop format was created to promote greater coordination, cooperation and communication – specifically regarding common challenges and best practices – among the relevant port security authorities in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, to enable these authorities to more effectively address port security threats and vulnerabilities in their respective countries’ port facilities.  On a broader level the workshop was intended to enhance counter-terrorism, law enforcement and customs capabilities; improve port facility, cargo security, and customs controls; and raise security awareness among those involved in the various aspects of port security.

Country representatives made presentations on the state of port security and ISPS implementation in their countries, providing useful case studies for consideration by the larger group.  Two practical exercises were conducted.   The first required participants to work in their groups to assess security in a fictitious port and, in accordance with the provisions of the ISPS Code, draft and present a mock port facility security plan.  The second required participants to assume the role of port facility security auditor and think about and note the questions that they would ask when assessing security in a port facility. During a visit to the Port of Pecém, located about 50 km from Fortaleza, participants broke into three groups of approximately 14 to conduct a mock audit of the port. 

Additional Best Practices Workshops are planned for the other subregions of the Hemisphere during 2008-2009.

For more information:  Brian Sullivan, bsullivan@oas.org iibanez@oas.org