MYANMAR will join other member countries of the International
Maritime Organisation in implementing a range of security measures
for ships and ports by the end of next month, an official with
the Department of Marine Administration said last week.
U Soe Win, the department’s director general, said preparations
had been finalised to implement the IMO’s International
Ship and Port Security Code.
He said the code will take effect in all IMO member countries
on July 1.
U Soe Win said that he had every confidence in the security
situation at Myanmar’s ports.
“We are implementing the code in line with international
practice but there is already 100 per cent security at our ports,”
he said.
However, he said that the full implementation of the code would
give other countries confidence in the security of Myanmar’s
ports.
U Soe Win said the department had begun preparing for implementing
the code since last September, when it was adopted by the IMO.
The preparations had mainly involved training programs on security
measures for ports and ships.
Nearly 3000 merchant seamen who are classified as ship security
officers, 10 security officers from the state-owned Five Star
Shipping line and 35 security officers from state and privately-run
ports had taken part in the training programs.
Security at port facilities was also discussed at a seminar
organised by the department with the support of Myanmar International
Terminals Thilawa Limited on May 6 and a similar event will be
held in the last week of May at the port operated by the Asia
World company in Ahlone township.
The Deputy Transport Minister, U Pe Than, said in an address
at the opening of last week’s seminar that ports, ships
and their cargoes around the world were vulnerable targets for
terrorist attacks. It was also recognised that ships and in some
cases their cargoes could be used as weapons in any attack, U
Pe Than said.
The code was introduced in recognition of the need to ensure
that ports, ships and their cargoes are protected, he said.
“Not only do we want to ensure cleaner seas and safer
oceans in terms of shipping and the environment, but we also want
to ensure that all who sail and serve in the maritime industry
are safe and secure,” U Pe Than said.
He said Myanmar is committed to ensure that ports and ships
are safe.
U Soe Win said a national working committee would be established
to monitor the implementation of the code.
He said the code would apply at all Myanmar ports used by international
vessels, including Myeik and Sittwe as well as Yangon.
Of the nine ports in Yangon, five are operated by the private
sector.
