Photo courtesy Penang Port Sdn Bhd.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security team completed a bilateral engagement with Malaysian officials in April. This engagement involved sharing best practices and visiting with the Ministry of Infrastructure Marine and Ports Division to observe the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code at three port facilities: Northport, Port Klang and two port facilities in Penang; Swettenham Cruise Terminal and North Butterworth Container Terminal. "The Coast Guard appreciates Malaysia's invitation and their strong commitment to securing the global supply chain." said Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Beaudoin, ISPS program liaison officer, U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far East Division. Members from the Coast Guard delegation also provided a half-day seminar on conducting internal security audits. In attendance were approximately 20 port security professionals made up of: the Marine Department, Port facility Security Officers, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Klang Port Authority.In 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard developed the International Port Security Program to reinforce the implementation of the ISPS Code. Malaysia became signatory to the ISPS Code in 2004. The ISPS 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 overcome 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.