ISPS Code - IMO Urges Early Implementation In Wake Of Madrid Attacks

March 2004

IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, has urged Member States to implement the IMO maritime security regime adopted in December 2002 as early as possible, in the wake of the Madrid atrocities of 11 March 2004. Speaking at the opening of IMO's Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation (FSI)*, Mr. Mitropoulos led a minute of silence for the victims of last week's attacks in the Spanish capital, as well as for those in the United States, Bali, Moscow, Istanbul and in all other parts of the world which have suffered at the hands of terrorists.

"Those atrocities should serve as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of all modes of transport to acts of terrorism. As far as we, servants of the maritime mode are concerned, our concern, in the context of the question posed by analysts and commentators as to which country will be the next target, should be which mode of transport will attract next the interest of the perpetrators of these unlawful acts," he said. "We should mobilize all our resources to protect our industry, the international trade and the global economy from those whose motives and acts have nothing at all to do with all that the civilized world stands for."

The IMO Secretary-General urged all parties concerned, be they Administrations, designated authorities, port authorities, companies, recognized security organizations, training institutions or others, to intensify their efforts to meet the entry-into-force deadline for the new security regime specified in International Ship and Port Facility Security Code . The new measures enter into force on 1 July 2004.

"I might even go one step further by urging all parties concerned, in particular SOLAS Contracting Governments and port organizations, to implement the new measures as early as possible, as far as ships entitled to fly their flags and port facilities under their jurisdiction are concerned," Mr. Mitropoulos told delegates.

"My argument, in so doing, is simple," he added. "While the 1st July deadline constitutes a pact among Governments doing business in a civilized manner under the mutually binding provisions of a treaty instrument, this deadline means nothing to terrorists who may decide to strike wherever and whenever such an act might suit their evil purposes - and, have no doubt, they will do so if they assess that our defences are low or, to put it in a different manner, when they think that our defences are not high enough to prevent and deter them from committing any atrocities they may have in mind to commit against our industry, the international trade and the world economy." 

 

Based on IMO Briefing 10/2004, 15 March 2004

*IMO Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation - 12th session: 15-19 March 2004