Despite 9-11 plainly causing catastrophe from the air, the day also showed the vulnerability of sea trade to terrorists – so say the organisers of the Airport, Port and Intermodal Security Summit.
Despite 9-11 plainly causing catastrophe from the air, the day also showed the vulnerability of sea trade to terrorists – so say the organisers of the Airport, Port and Intermodal Security Summit. (Visit www.terminalsecurity.info) This exhibitions runs at ExceL, London, from December 3 to 5. Organisers point out that 98 per cent of world cargo is shipped by sea; only two per cent of container traffic is checked by law enforcement organisations or customs.ÿYet more screening might slow throughput of cargo and passengers. Among invited speakers is Chris Austen, a director of London-based Underwater Security Consultants (USCL), ex-Royal Navy and Marines formerly in maritime counter-terrorist and anti-piracy operations. He says: ?We have first-hand experience of the impact of piracy and violent crime at sea and in ports around the world. Improving maritime security will require co-ordinated and committed effort between governments, ship, port and terminal operators, and crews themselves. The new International Maritime Organisation [the maritime agency of the United Nations] code will provide some of the answers, however many organisations will find themselves under pressure to meet the requirements for training of security officers and the development of security plans.? The current target of the IMO is that all ships of over 500 tonnes will have to meet the requirements by July 2004. Deadline for compliance by ports is planned for 2005. Transport Minister John Spellar will open the conference.
