CSA President urges members to ...

... reports on Association’s regional initiatives

2005, May 23, Kingstown, SVG: July 1 is the first anniversary of the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the President of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) has reminded members that they need to ensure that their port security plans are kept current.

The ISPS Code was instituted worldwide by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to prevent the spread of terrorism through shipping.

Addressing the CSA’s fourth annual Caribbean Shipping Executives Conference, held this year in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, May 23, 24 and 25, Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester said: ”I want to remind all our members that you have an obligation to ensure that your security plans are up-to-date and that the action plans that were submitted to the IMO remain at the top of the agendas of the Ports of the region.

“Your security plans must be constantly reviewed and assessed. I must remind members that a simulation of a terrorist threat at a port facility involving all parties - the Port Authority, Police, and Local Coast Guard - must be done to comply with the requirements of the ISPS regulations.”

Commenting how “heartening” it was to see CSA members working together and learning from each other at a recent security exercise at Kingston Wharves, Jamaica (where observers from Antigua, Curacao and St. Kitts-Nevis were on hand to view exercises which demonstrated Kingston Wharves compliance with the ISPS regulations), she said: “One of the recurring security problems in our region is the use of port facilities, ships and containers to export and transship unauthorized products. It is a never-ending struggle that all players must continue to fight. We acknowledge the untiring efforts and substantial investments made by our ports and other industry partners to tackle this problem. We encourage our members to continue the fight.”

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

Reminding delegates that a primary objective of the CSA was the strengthening of regional cooperation for the continuous development of the Caribbean maritime industry, the CSA President said: “As you know, the CSA is in a partnership with CARICOM, Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA), Port Managers of the Caribbean and Florida Ports Council. This is referred to as the Caribbean Maritime Security Alliance. We had an initial responsibility to establish the security readiness of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and Barbados and we are now in discussion for phase two of the Security Plan.

“We met in December 2004 in Miami at the CCAA and the plan is now at the stage of ascertaining what is required in terms of hardware of security items, such as access control systems and Closed Circuit Television for the Region’s ports. These discussions are ongoing and the CSA membership will be kept abreast of the developments.”

Association of Caribbean States

Reporting on the CSA’s working relationship with the Association of Caribbean States, Mrs. Robertson-Sylvester told delegates that the CSA had moved to consolidate its alliance with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

“In April of this year, in Trinidad, our General Manager, Mr. Stephen Bell presented, on my behalf, to the Special Committee on Transport of the ACS, points of interest that the CSA would like to be put on an agenda for discussion.

“At that meeting, we renewed our call for a regional statistical database of the shipping industry for planning long and short-term development and expressed our willingness to assist and support the ACS in such an effort. Members it is vital for our Region to have a database, and this cannot be realized without the support of all the players and Lines that do business in our waters.

“In our presentation to the Association of Caribbean States’ (ACS) Special Committee, the CSA also expressed our organization’s interest in working closely with the ACS in the area of port security. We also noted that both the CSA and the ACS shared a common interest in Sustainable Tourism Development and called for stronger collaboration in protecting the Caribbean Sea.”

Cruise shipping

As regards cruise shipping, she noted that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines conference was a historic meeting for the CSA as it was the first time that it was being held over three days, with the 3rd day dedicated to the maritime aspects of the cruise business in the Region.

“The addition of cruise concerns to our agenda, can help to enhance the cruising product in the region with regards to port and human resource development, as well as in bringing together the various players in shipping to discuss issues from a Caribbean maritime perspective.”

According to the CSA President: “All our Governments are giving priority to this area of maritime development and many Ports are looking at ways to improve their terminal facilities so that they can handle bigger ships and more cruise passengers. We must not lose sight of the fact that Cruise shipping is a major contributor to the GDP of our countries and if the cruise business develops, then those in the container side of the business will also do well.

“We also note the efforts being made by our respective tourist boards and hotel associations to convert cruise passengers to stop-over visitors, and this also augurs well for increased cargo and container shipping services for that market.

“I know that there are some issues between the port operators and the cargo ships regarding berthing preferences, but this makes it all the more critical that we work together to develop plans that will satisfy all our needs. Indeed this is one of the strengths of the CSA. We bring together all the different players in the game to create a win – win situation for all, “ the CSA President declared.