British port facilities are risking losing millions of pounds in trade with the United States by failing to ensure they comply with new security legislation designed to combat the threat of terrorism, a leading installation company has warned.

James Gemmell, special projects manager at Pointer, said UK ports must have adequate security if ships which leave from their facilities are to be allowed to dock in the US under the International Ship and Port Security code (ISPS) which became law in July this year. Ports which fail to comply with the code, which was introduced by the United Nations’ International Maritime Organisation and is now part of the UK’s Air & Maritime Act, face the prospect of being shunned by shipping operators.

“There are three different, increasingly robust security levels which ports, and ships, will be required to demonstrate they can operate at and switch between quickly,” Gemmell said. “Those ports who don’t comply risk losing trade and money.

“The deadline for compliance with the legislation was July 1, but the Transportation Security Department, part of the DTI, decided that all UK ports had to do was submit a security plan by that date. Although all ports will have done this, many have yet to put their plans into action, and this could prove very costly.”

Source

Security Installer