Port Security: An International Analysis

Running Head : PORT SECURITY

A Research

On the

Status of Global Maritime Security

[Student 's Name]

[University of Michigan]

[Date] Abstract

This research is about the current status of the global maritime security . The discussion begins with the related convention and legislation applicable to the safeguard of marine life and industry against terrorism . It discusses the International Marine Organization (IMO , as the global agency to safeguard and uphold marine resources In relation to the IMO , pertinent conventions , like that of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS ) Convention

and its subsequent amendment particularly the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code ) and their significance in Maritime Protection . Last item on legislation would be a discussion on the US Coast Guard 's Maritime Strategy for Homeland Security as related to the Maritime Transportation Security Act . Following the section on legislation would be the status of the global implementation of the aforementioned . And then a focused discussion about the status of Caribbean Marine Security , particularly on the implementation of the ISPS Code , follows . The concludes with a call to action to all nations in sustaining the strategies initiated concerning global marine security

Maritime Security Convention and Mandates

Among the most memorable events in Maritime history in the 20th century was the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 (Info , 2006 . Such devastating event triggered the formation of an International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS ) in 1914 . Among the issues tackled in the event was the non-compliance of vessels to design safety , which was one of the reasons why only 40 of the passengers survived the Titanic tragedy . The treaty underwent several updates the most notable of which was the one held in 1960 , wherein the International Maritime Organization (IMO ) was mandated to enforce and update SOLAS . This step strengthened the safety and security of the worldwide shipping industry as well as provided a venue for technological innovation and development

The International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO ) was formed in Geneva in 1948 and was originally named Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , or IMCO . In 1958 , the member states convened and changed their name to IMO . The Convention (IMO , 2002 ) provided a venue for the organization to define its purpose as that of providing a machinery for cooperation among Governments in the field of governmental regulation and practices relating to technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping engaged in international trade to encourage and facilitate the general adoption of the highest practicable standards in matters concerning maritime safety , efficiency of navigation and prevention and control of marine pollution from ships . Its premier task was to adopt a new version of SOLAS , to focus on the issue of maritime safety and improve the speed , delivery and enforcement of amendments to SOLAS Thus , the modern version of the treaty was revised , wherein instead of getting the majority (two-thirds ) agreement of all contracting parties of the convention , a new amendment procedure of tacit acceptance (deemed accepted unless objected...