Only five Philippine flagged ships meet ISPS code

Only five ships out of the 165 vessels under the Philippine registry have complied with the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The figures were based on an April survey conducted by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the regulatory agency for the Philippine maritime industry. The rest of the ships are in various stages of preparation for compliance to the code. Some vessels have submitted their ship security assessment or ship security plan for approval by the recognised security organisations. Others are awaiting the issuance of their International Ship Security Certificate.

Notwithstanding the low level of compliance, Gloria Baas, Marina deputy administrator for planning, said in an industry briefing that she sees no problem for all ships to comply by the July 1 deadline. “Our international ocean going ships are all expected to be compliant within the prescribed timetable provided,” she stressed.