International rules are being developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) that would commit Governments worldwide to co-operate in fighting the use of ships by terrorist groups – either on the high seas or when in port
The rules are being drawn up as amendments to the 1998 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (otherwise known as the SUA Convention).

The changes would broaden the range of offences against which signatory countries should take action, harmonising and toughening their legal commitments to fight terrorism.

Notably, the changes would also expand the list of offences in the SUA Convention "to ensure that it sufficiently covers a wide range of terrorist acts, and would introduce a variety of measures aimed at strengthening its effectiveness".

Meanwhile, officials of the European Union and the American Government have met to discuss the US Container Security Initiative which was launched after talks following September 11. The initiative's terms and conditions tighten controls over containers bound for the US to prevent any terrorist equipment being stowed on board.

Brussels and Washington mandarins have also been discussing the proposed 24-hour rule, whereby the operators of maritime carriers would have to provide United States customs officials with detailed cargo information at least one day before a container is loaded onto a vessel bound for the States.

Source

SMT