the international maritime community is celebrating World Maritime Day under the theme 'Focus on Maritime Security'. Over the past year, the shipping sector has enjoyed significant growth, both in terms of the movement of cargo as well as in that important facet of the tourist industry, cruise shipping.

This year's celebration is against the background of the coming into effect of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, which required all ports involved in international trade to meet a designated security profile as of July 1, 2004.My congratulations and thanks to all who contributed to the effort, which enabled Jamaica to meet its obligations under the code.

Notwith-standing that success, we continue to closely monitor operations in order to protect and enhance the vital contribution of the maritime
sector to national development.
Robert D. Pickersgill Minister of Transport & Works

MARITIME SECURITY A PARTNERSHIP AS WE

celebrate World Maritime Day 2004 under the theme 'Jamaica 2004: Focus on Maritime Security', the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) is proud of its active role in the implementation of the critical changes to our maritime security arrangements over the years.

The shipping industry in Jamaica has maintained a dynamic programme to ensure tight security at our seaports and the integrity of our exports, and to protect both our domestic and trans-shipment trade. It was through the instrumentality of Jamaica, and the work undertaken by the Shipping Association of Jamaica, that the Maritime Security Council formally got under way with its inaugural meeting being held in Kingston during 1989.This body is now an internationally recognised organisation supported by major maritime entities such as the IMO.

The SAJ and Port Authority of Jamaica, as well as Security Administrators Limited (SAL), are members of this body.The SAJ salutes all who are involved in maritime security in Jamaica, and their efforts in making Jamaica's ports and waters secure.
Harry Maragh President, Shipping Assn of Jamaica

PORT SECURITY OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY THE PORT

Authority of Jamaica once more joins with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in recognising World Maritime Day, focussing on a significant component of the maritime industry.

This year's theme 'Focus on Maritime Security' is highly appropriate in light of the hazards and security challenges currently facing maritime transport and world trade internationally.Over the past 30-odd years, Jamaica has built an internationally recognised port sector, with the committed support of shipping clients, local private sector, port workers and trade unions.Developments then were focussed mainly on the commercial aspects of the industry such as capacity building, operational efficiency, productivity, market share, and competitiveness.

In the current environment, provisions must be put in place to protect developments, therefore Port Security has assumed the highest priority, equal to any of our commercial targets.We can be proud that our industry and, indeed, all Jamaica, without hesitation, responded to the urgency of port security. Consequently, Jamaica is recorded as one of the first countries in our region to achieve certification of our major ports, according to the IMO/ISPS Code - a valid demonstration of the IMO's theme this year.
Noel Hytlton President & CEO, Port Authority of Jamaica

OF CODE A MONUMENTAL TASK THE IMPLEMENTATION

of the ISPS Code has signalled to us that the work to secure maritime activities has only begun. This is reinforced by this year's theme, reminding us of the monumental task that was successfully completed to ensure that Jamaica met the July 1, 2004 implementation deadline, both from the ship and port side.As the administration responsible for the implementation of the requirements of the code, as it relates to ships, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) was successful in ensuring that vessels on its register were in compliance. Legislation, both from the port facility and the ship perspective, must be enacted.

The planning for formal involvement by national security elements has to be done. The mission of maritime security has been full of challenges, but it is not a mission impossible. Jamaica's viability as a maritime state cannot be compromised. Our task to complete the unfinished areas must, therefore, be tackled with the utmost vigour and seriousness. We in the industry must cooperate, as this is critical to ensuring that the orderly carriage of goods and persons by sea is not disrupted.
Rear Admiral Peter Brady Director-general Maritime Authority of Jamaica

CUSTOMS BROKERS APPLAUD GOVERNMENT THE CUSTOMS

Brokers Association of Jamaica (CBAJ) joins the Shipping Association of Jamaica and other industry colleagues in celebrating World Maritime Day.The CBAJ applauds the Jamaican Government for its awareness of the need for maritime security. They have implemented high-technology gamma ray machines, among other security features, as part of the requirement to ensure that the Jamaican ports are certified under the International Maritime Organisations (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The CBAJ is excited at these new developments and hopes that the steps taken will help to further improve Jamaica's port security and provide a speedy and efficient cargo processing and release system.
Richard Minott President Customs Brokers Assn of Jamaica

IMPLEMENTATION ARE OUR PORTS 'THE WEAKEST LINK'?

THE FACT that 90 per cent of all goods moved internationally are carried in containers, it is, therefore, understandable why maritime security is the prime focus on the agenda of world leaders, to stem all possible threats to their countries. Jamaica's focus on maritime security is, therefore, no exception.We have implemented the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and introduced scanning of both containers and bulk cargo. However, we need to take the pro-active approach implemented by the United States - the Automated Manifest System (AMS).

Prior to shipping to the U.S., the country of shipment must report all cargo intended for entry. Information on how the carrier, container and cargo will be handled on entry is used by all the relevant authorities.

Jamaica needs to adapt a similar pre-screening system of 'prior-entry' of goods into our ports as well as stem the flow of users by creating limitations to access (zoning) and/or by creating off-dock facilities. Unless standards, practices and protocol giving clear policy guidelines to all users of our ports are implemented, our ports could still be considered the 'weakest link' to the country's maritime and national security.
Beverly Johnson-Green President Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica