No. H044/04 For release June 30, 2004 OTTAWA - On July 1, 2004, Transport Canada will begin to enforce new marine security requirements under the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Under the code, all affected vessels wishing to enter Canadian waters will require an International Ship Security Certificate. Affected vessels will not be allowed to enter Canadian waters without appropriate certification. All vessels registered with Transport Canada have been issued certificates. The new security requirements will also apply to Canadian marine facilities and ports serving such vessels. The requirements will strengthen marine security in Canada and around the world. All commercial vessels of 500 tons (gross tonnage) or more, or carrying more than 12 passengers and travelling between countries, are subject to the new requirements, which include the completion of security assessments and security plans and the designation of security officers. The requirements under the ISPS code are being implemented through Canada¿s Marine Transportation Security Regulations, as well as through amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974. Canada's new regulations surpass the IMO's requirements by extending them to: cargo vessels of 100 tons (gross tonnage) or more, other than towing vessels; towing vessels that tow barges carrying certain dangerous cargoes; and marine facilities and ports that serve the above vessels. Transport Canada is working closely with domestic and international marine security partners, including the United States Coast Guard, to ensure the effective implementation of this new marine security regime. Canada and the United States will provide reciprocal recognition and acceptance of each other's approved vessel security plans. This bilateral arrangement creates a harmonized approach to ensuring that only ISPS-compliant vessels are granted entry into Canada's domestic waters and port facilities. This action will help ensure the continued free flow of goods and enhance the safety and security of our transportation system. A backgrounder on the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code is attached. -30- Contact: Vanessa Vermette Transport Canada Communications, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER MARINE SECURITY- INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY CODE On July 1, 2004, the International Maritime Organization¿s (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code will take effect. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on the improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from vessels. Transport Canada has implemented the ISPS Code through the Marine Transportation Security Regulations, which apply to commercial vessels of 500 tons (gross tonnage) or more, or carrying more than 12 passengers and travelling between countries, and marine facilities and ports serving such vessels. The regulations require such things as the completion of security assessments and security plans, and the designation of security officers. Canadian marine facilities, vessels and ports that meet the requirements of the regulations have been issued an International Ship Security Certificate. These certificates are required to facilitate entry to ISPS Code-compliant marine facilities in Canada and abroad. They are valid for five years and subject to periodic verification. In addition to implementing the IMO requirements, Canada¿s regulations will extend these requirements to: cargo vessels of 100 tons (gross tonnage) or more other than towing vessels; towing vessels that tow barges carrying certain dangerous cargoes; and marine facilities and ports that serve the above vessels. During the late summer and fall of 2003, Transport Canada held a number of meetings with marine stakeholders on ISPS Code issues in order to develop the new regulations. The department also formed four working groups, which included representatives of government, the marine sector and labour groups, to help formulate draft regulations in key sectors of the marine industry covered by the ISPS Code: vessels, marine facilities, mobile offshore drilling units and the Marine Facility Restricted Area Access Clearance Program - a program designed to control access to certain areas in marine facilities. Moreover, Transport Canada and United States Coast Guard have worked closely together to coordinate and harmonize the marine security regimes of the two countries so that Canadian-flagged ships that meet Canadian security requirements can enter U.S. harbours, and U.S.-flagged vessels that meet U.S. requirements can enter Canadian harbours. Transport Canada continues to work diligently to further improve the security of the transportation system in Canada and takes all reasonable actions to promote heightened safety and security in all modes of transportation. June 2004
