MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia is providing almost $500,000 to help Pacific nations, including
Papua New Guinea, improve port security and develop and implement port security
plans.
The priority of this assistance is to provide administrators, port operators
and shipping companies in Pacific nations with the skills and knowledge to meet
the 1 July deadline for compliance with the International Maritime
Organisation's (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security Code
(ISPS).
The Code forms part of a new global security regime for international
shipping. It obliges countries to take preventative measures against security
incidents that affect international shipping.
The 'Security in the Pacific Islands Maritime Sector Project', will train
maritime personnel from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji,
Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu,
to develop and review security plans that meet the provisions of the ISPS
code.
Australia is also providing similar assistance to Papua New Guinea under the
'PNG Maritime Security Assistance Project', jointly managed by AusAID and the
Department of Transport and Regional Services.
Working closely with PNG Harbours Limited and the PNG Department of
Transport, project consultants will undertake risk assessments and help develop
security plans for the PNG ports of Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul and Madang.
Training is also being provided for PNG Harbours Limited personnel to undertake
assessments of other PNG ports.
Training in both projects will also focus on building the capacity of those
responsible for implementing and maintaining the new security regimes.
Improving port security in these countries will help reduce the risk of
terrorism and is critical in underpinning regional security, good governance and
economic progress in the Pacific.
Media contacts:
Chris Kenny (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489