Singapore's maritime security code to extend to smaller vessels

Producer: Melanie Yip
First broadcast: 5 August 04, Radio Singapore International

Singapore will adopt maritime security measures that move beyond the requirements of the international maritime security code.

Currently, the International Ship and Port Security Code, or ISPS Code requires ship owners to comply with a set of security measures for big vessels.

But Singapore's Transport Minister, Yeo Cheow Tong, says that the ISPS Code must extend to smaller vessels, some of which might pose equal maritime threats.

So what forms of maritime threats can smaller vessels pose?

Melanie Yip put the question to Dr Andrew Tan (AT), Assistant Professor at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore.

AT: "In the real world, the security threat comes from smaller vessels, given that several successful terrorist attacks on the high seas have occurred through the use of small boats, speed boats, packed with explosives. For example, attacks on the USS Cole, and also the tanker off Yemen recently. Those are the vessels that you need to take measures against to secure."

Having additional security measures in place would mean more costs, so how can we solve the issue of who should bear the cost of added security?

AT: "I think after September 11, it's obvious that we have to change the way we view business costs, and the way we conduct our commerce in our everyday life. Given the generalised threat of terrorism that is upon us, it's something that we have to recognise. Of course, there will be costs involved, this is an issue that needs to be resolved in partnership between governments and different industries. But increasingly, private industries have realised or recognised, like the aviation industry, the financial sectors, they recognised that things have changed since September 11, and they now have to factor to their business costs and considerations on security."

With the proposed maritime security measures in place, there are concerns regarding the amount of paper work required and also training of manpower to handle maritime threats. Do you feel that it may cause unnecessary delays to port operations, and eventually affect global trade?

AT: "Unfortunately, this is something that needs to be done. I think if there are problems, and I expect that there would be, given the immensity of the tasks involved, these will be short-term in nature. In time, these problems will be ironed out, and I think we will settle down to much smoother, if not, more secure manner of doing things. A lot needs to be done because if you look at the maritime industry, it is nowhere as well regulated, structured or secured as compared to the aviation sector. The entire logistical chain needs to be secured, and that is a lot of work."

Singapore's transport Minister, Yeo Cheow Tong cautioned that vessels should not just abide by the security measures implemented under the International Ship and Port Security Code. What other measures do you suggest vessels put in place as well?

AT: "The ISPS code is really the bare minimum that ports and ships are required to put into effect. These barely minimum measures are no constrain, or no barrier at all to any determined terrorists prepared to launch an attack. Countries that are concerned with maritime security, like Singapore, given its dependence on maritime time, need to go beyond the ISPS code. The requirement for smaller vessels to be tracked, and to be secured are steps in the right direction. There's a lot more that needs to be done. For instance, Singapore's participation in the Container Security Initiative will help improve security on containers, and various US led initiatives will also improve port, container and ship security, which is required. So there's a lot that needs to be done."

"Many of these measures require time and money, even things like putting ship to shore alert systems. You also need radar systems, and can track real time to ensure that there is a clear picture where ships are, similar to aviation tracking for example."

Mr Yeo also said that by merely ensuring that a ship's cargo is not tampered with from the point of origin to its destination is not sufficient. At the same time, there is a challenge of finding out contents of a cargo without hurting global trade. So what are some of the efforts that can be implemented between various ports of call?

AT: "They have to improve customs and procedures, and at the same time, find non-invasive ways of ensuring that the cargo that is declared is really the cargo that's been stated on the various forms. We need those sensor equipment that can pick out weapons of mass destruction, or WMD material and other illicit goods. These have to be done without being invasion and without holding the movement of cargo."