Liberian Ports
The Bureau of Maritime Affairs ("The BMA"), in its capacity as the regulating and implementing arm of the International Maritime Organization ("The IMO"), International Labour Organization ("The ILO") and the United Nation conventions, code and protocols supports the efforts of the NPA as follows:
- The Commissioner of the BMA is an active member on the NPA’s Board, which among other things, is working to ensure the removal of the wrecks.
- The BMA’s Port State Control Office, which is currently based at the Freeport of Monrovia, inspects all vessels calling on ports in Liberia’s territorial waters to ensure IMO compliance; the office also accommodates the Small Watercraft inspectors and the facilitation officers.
- The BMA, as the Designated Authority for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), is working with the NPA and other partners to enhance the security of ships and port facilities against any possible security threats.
FREEPORT OF MONROVIA ACHIEVES ISPS SECURITY LEVEL ONE
The Freeport of Monrovia has become an ISPS compliant port facility for the first time in its history which means that the Freeport of Monrovia has met all requirements set forth by the ISPS Code and US Coast Guard ISPS Inspection team and its now operating on Level 1.
ISPS is the acronym for the International Ship & Port Facility Security Code which includes two components-Mandatory and Guidiance. These comprehensive measures were established and adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to strengthen maritime security and prevent and suppress acts of terrorism against shipping.
The ISPS was established at the Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and implemented in July 2004. SOLAS is regarded as the foremost international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships globally and sets minimum standards for construction, equipment and operations to enhance the safety of Flag State & Port State.
Liberia being a signatory to the SOLAS Convention has finally implemented the ISPS Code at the Freeport of Monrovia and has been issued Security Level 1 seal which indicates the normalcy at which ships and port facilities operate.
During the inspection of the Freeport of Monrovia in 2005 by the U S Coast Guard, it was observed that little or no security mechanisms had been put into place to ensure ISPS compliance. After subsequent visits in 2006, 2007 & 2008, Liberia still had not fully implemented the ISPS Code due to the lack of security measures in Access Control, Monitoring of the Port Facility, Anchorage, Berthing and Restricted Areas and supervising the handling of cargo, Communication and security information. However, with the passage of the appropriate ISPS legislation and the appointment of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA) as Designated Authority (DA) the NPA Management has made immeasurable efforts to ensure that the Freeport of Monrovia becomes ISPS Compliant and later the Ports of Buchanan, Greenville and Harper.
For more information on the ports of Liberia, please click here