The Division of Maritime Security within the Department of Transport ensures that the International Ships and Ports Security (ISPS) Code and related Maritime Security Resolutions agreed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime agency of the United Nations, is enforced in Papua New Guinea through the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Security) Regulation as amended in 2013.
The division’s core operations include:
- Issuance of Statement of Compliance for port facilities
To issue a Statement of Compliance for Port Facilities, the port operator first requests for an ISPS certification from the Maritime Security Division who is the Designated Authority (DA).
The MSD officers carry out a port site inspection and assist port operators in the port facility security risk assessment.
The DA guide the port operator to draw up its Port Facility Security Risk Plan (PFSP) and once the DA has approved the PFSP, a Statement of Compliance is issued to the port operator.
- Issuance of International Ship Security Certificate
Papua New Guinea registered company requests the Designated Authority (DA) for issuance of an International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC).
The Designated Authority/Registered Security Organization (DA/RSO) carry out on-site inspection and full verification of the ship and a Ship Security Risk Assessment is sent to the DA for check and approval.
Once approved the DA issue the International Ship Security Certificate.
The processes of issuing those certifications are vigorous and thorough and include on-site visits and inspections, and careful scrutinizing of Security Risk Assessments and Plans i.e. Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) and Ship Security Plan (SSP).