CHITTAGONG, Jan 19: A four-member team of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) will start its six-day Chittagong port visit tomorrow (Monday) to assess its overall security measures.
The visit will end on January 26.
Led by USCG Lieutenant Commander Khiem V Nagy, the team would conduct the inspection under the guidelines of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, said the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).
The delegation's other members are Martin S Donohue, Irving A Cintron, and Kramer, all of whom hold various positions in the USCG.
CPA Secretary Mohd Omar Faruk said it is a routine visit of the USCG to inspect whether the port and its related establishments are complying with the ISPS Code.
"The Chittagong port is an ISPS Code-compliant port. As part of the compliance, the USCG periodically inspects the port's security measures," he said.
He also said, "We have enough preparations for the visit."
The delegation will examine key areas of the port, including the yard, jetty, container freight station (CFS), port gates, and inland container depots (ICDs).
It will also evaluate security protocols, such as cargo scanning, manpower deployment, closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance, and operational procedures, of the port's security department.
In consultation with the US, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is implementing the ISPS Code to prevent terrorist activities from taking place under the guise of transporting goods by sea.
Since 2004, the IMO has made it mandatory to implement the ISPS Code in ports around the world to ensure security.
The USCG team visited the Chittagong port seven times, with the last one taking place in August 2022. The inspections are crucial for maintaining the special security index required for ports that export goods to the US.
During its last visit in August 2022, the delegation made 17 recommendations, including building separate sheds equipped with advanced technology for hazardous goods as well as bringing all risky chemical and dangerous cargo yards under 24-hour CCTV surveillance.
The shipping department's director general is the head of the designated authority to implement the ISPS Code.
The authority also includes representatives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and CPA.
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