New rules on maritime security were adopted at a diplomatic
conference in London on 13 December 2002 in response to the events
of 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington.
The new rules entered into force on 1 July 2004 and comprise
amendments to Chapters V and XI-1 and a new Chapter XI-2 of the
SOLAS Convention. A new code, called the ISPS Code, was also
attached to the rules in SOLAS.
The new rules entered into force in the EU through Regulation
(EC) No. 725/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
31 March 2004 on enhancing ship and port facility security. The
Swedish Riksdag also passed an Act (2004:487) on maritime
security and the Swedish Government enacted an Ordinance (2004:283)
on maritime security. Finally, the Swedish Maritime Administration
has issued a regulation on maritime security, SJÖFS
2004:13.
The legislation applies to cargo ships, including high-speed
craft, with gross tonnage of 500 or above, passenger ships,
including high-speed passenger craft, mobile offshore drilling
units and port facilities that serve such ships engaged in
international shipping and passenger traffic between Gotland and
the Swedish mainland. Since 1st July 2008 the gross tonnage of the
ship, as determined under the provisions of the International
Convention on the Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 and shown on
the International Tonnage Certificate (1969) of the ship, is
applicable for all ships in international traffic.
After ship security plans are approved and onboard inspections
performed, the Maritime Safety Inspectorate issues an
International Ship Security Certificate.
Likewise, approved and inspected port facilities are given
a Statement of Compliance of a Port
Facility issued by the Maritime Safety
Inspectorate.
In addition to above, EU has decided upon Directive 2005/65/EC
of the European Parliament and of the Council on enhancing port
security. The Directive has been transformed into Swedish
legislation through Act (2006:1209) on port security, the Swedish
Government enacted an Ordinance (2006:1213) on port security and
the Swedish Maritime Administration has issued a regulation on port
security, SJÖFS 2007:1.
A port is defined as a specified area of land and water
containing works and equipment designed to facilitate commercial
maritime transport. The Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate
approve the port security plans and confirm by inspection that the
plan is implemented which is noted on the decision for
approval.