Maritime Security/Port Security

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.