A new standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization and international maritime organizations aims at making ports around the world more secure.

ISO/PAS 20858 was adopted by more than 100 member countries of the International Maritime Organization. It contains detailed security-related requirements for governments, port authorities and shipping companies, and is intended to help ports better monitor freight flows, combat smuggling and respond to terrorist threats. It took effect on July 1.

“This is a major maritime security standards initiative,” says Capt. Charles Piersall, chairman of the ISO technical committee that developed the standard. “The document is designed to facilitate a consistent implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code worldwide as a way to create a safe and secure international shipping regime.”

The standard provides a framework to assist marine port facilities in ensuring the competency of security staff, developing security plans for the port staff and the public, and conducting security assessments. Countries that fail to adhere to the code risk being excluded from international trade. The technical group reports it’s continuing to examine maritime security.

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