(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Released)
SINGAPORE — A U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security Team completed a bilateral engagement with Papua New Guinea officials from 17-21 Oct.
This engagement involved sharing best practices and visiting with the Papua New Guinea Department of Transportation to observe the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code at two port facilities located in Kavieng and Port Moresby.
“Every port stakeholder in every country has security responsibilities in our interconnected global economy. The Coast Guard appreciates Papua New Guinea’s invitation and their commitment and efforts to improve port security in the Pacific,” said Lt. Cmdr. Darain Kawamoto, liaison officer, U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far East Division.
In 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard developed the International Port Security Program to reinforce the implementation of the ISPS Code. Papua New Guinea became signatory to the ISPS Code in 2004. The IPS Program seeks to reduce risk to U.S. maritime interests, including U.S. ports and ships, and to facilitate secure maritime trade globally.
Under the auspices of this program, a U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security team conducts an annual visit to assess the effectiveness of seaport anti-terrorism measures and provides recommendations to government officials to reduce the risk of a maritime security incidents and impacts to the global supply chain. The ISPS program is designed to assist seaports in overcoming security challenges in a dynamic and ever changing threat environment.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Activities Far East unit coordinates with over 40 countries to execute these bilateral engagements. The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to promoting and facilitating safe and secure maritime trade.