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2008, Feb. 4: The Caribbean Shipping Association has become increasingly concerned
about port security issues, particularly as they affect the smallest of
Caribbean states.
 President Fernando again raised concern about the security needs of
small Caribbean nations and the cost of acquiring and maintaining the
technologies being demanded, at the General Council meeting, held in
Kingston Jamaica in January 2008.
Port Security has always been at the apex of CSA priorities. In fact,
the Association maintained a close relationship with the Maritime Security
Council throughout the decades of the eighties and nineties. More recently
however, port security matters have become more urgent, with the
Caribbean’s main maritime partners demanding state-of-the-art cargo
inspection and big ticket hardware and software items. Since September 11,
2001, the smallest Caribbean states, some with national populations half
the size of most major cities, despite domestic needs and national debt,
must find capital to buy the same or similar equipment as the most
developed countries on the planet; in the process fuelling the increase in
national debt.
It is necessary to protect regional trade and the maritime links which
move goods within and across the Caribbean Sea. This requires effective
and dependable security systems; much of which is electronic and
expensive. However, in poor countries, Governments are forced to weigh the
health and nutritional needs of their people against the need for port
security infrastructure.
In addition, the CSA President pointed out, that there are cases where
small territories can obviously benefit from the technical advice to
prevent them purchasing the wrong equipment; or technologies they do not
need.
The CSA plans to assist the smaller states with port security.
“Our main goal is to develop an Action Plan to asses the security
necessities of all territories within the Region with emphasis on those
small countries. This Action Plan will be presented and discussed with a
number of bodies within the Region, including the United States Coast
Guard; CARICOM, the Organization of American States (OAS) and other
maritime important organizations,” Fernando Rivera explained.
The most important element of the Action Plan, he said, “… is to make
sure that we know where each territory stands today regarding all security
measures. This will allow us to see what are the current and future needs.
We will help get them the advice necessary to allow them to invest their
money wisely … that is, that they build or purchase what is really
necessary for their particular needs.”
Even the bare necessities cost a lot of money; money that small
countries just don’t have. Yet, effective port security in every Caribbean
port is essential for hemispheric security. The CSA President acknowledges
the dilemma.
“We must help them find ways to obtain the necessary financial
assistance,” he said.
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American Shipper Florida Caribbean Connection reported (February 4,
that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will award about $852.4
million under its fiscal year 2008 Infrastructure Improvement Program to
strengthen the country’s capabilities to deal with terrorist attacks,
major disasters, and other emergencies.
The programme includes $388.6 million for ports, with specific amounts
earmarked for various large ports around the country.
The deadline for applications for the funds is March 17 at 11:59 pm EST.
The announcement of winners will be made in the spring.
According
to the website, grants will be administered to assist ports with projects
for:
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Maritime domain awareness.
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Access control credentialing systems (including hardware and
administration for the Transportation Worker Identification Card, but not
the fee for the card).
•
Capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to and recover from a
terrorist attack.
•
Training and exercises.
•
Risk management and collaboration to implement federal plans.
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Also read the report of the CSA
General Manager's address to SecurePort 2008 in which he raises concern
about financing port security in the Caribbean
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