A regional training course for Port Facility Security Auditors took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 23 to 27 September 2024.  

Organized by the Maritime Security Section of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye, the training aimed to enhance the capacity of Designated Authorities from countries across North Africa and the Middle East to ensure effective oversight of port security measures. 

Participants from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, and Türkiye attended the workshop, which focused on SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, and provided practical guidance on conducting port facility security audits, reporting, and follow-up actions. 

A highlight of the course was a site visit to the Istanbul Galataport cruise terminal, where participants had the opportunity to observe real-world applications of security measures at a modern  cruise port facility.  

The event, funded by the United Kingdom, is part of the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme which aims – inter alia – at strengthening maritime security globally.