Recent security exercises in the English Channel involving military personnel on board ships have sparked heightened media interest in maritime security in the region. As a result, IMO’s work in this field has been highlighted on the UK news channel Sky News (2 August) by Chris Trelawny, IMO Special Advisor on Maritime Security and Facilitation. Asked about ferry security in the context of terrorism, Mr. Trelawny told the programme that “IMO has developed a range of guidance and measures to protect shipping, and to protect the ports serving shipping – including the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code”. Watch extended clips of the interview here and here.
Mr. Trelawny went on to explain that the ISPS Code sets out a series of practical measures that ships and ports can take to prevent acts of terrorism from taking place, which fits into the United Nations counter-terrorism strategy and national protection strategies.