U.S. Coast Guard commends NPA
Liberia has made remarkable progress under the International Port Security Program through the United States Coast Guard and International Maritime Organization.
Results from the just concluded ISPS inspection from November 17-19, 2015 have certified “all facilities” at the Freeport of Monrovia and the Port of Buchanan respectively as being in full compliance with the procedures and regulations governing the ISPS Code. ISPS is the International Ship & Port Security Code.
According to a press release issued in Monrovia on Sunday, the result that certified Liberia as being in full compliance with Security Level One under the ISPS code was released to the designated authority or head of Liberia Maritime Authority BinyahKesselly and the Management of the National Port Authority through a debriefing after a comprehensive ISPS inspection and facilities tour.
The NPA says the ISPS inspection was carried out by a high-power delegation from the United States Department of Homeland Security under the auspices of the United States Coast Guard.
It added the visiting U.S Coast Guard delegation presented awards to the NPA management and praised the Management for maintaining the Security Level One (1) status.
Security Level One is the means by which normal security measures shall be maintained within the port’s facility.
The inspection was done in fulfillment of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) that mandates the United States Coast Guard to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-terrorism measures in foreign ports and provides for the imposition of conditions of entry on vessels arriving to the United States from countries that do not maintain effective anti-terrorism measures (MTSA, 46 USC § 70108).
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This latest result from the U.S Coast Guard on the status of the Seaports in Liberia indicates that the management of the National Port Authority has passed the ISPS inspection and that there is NO security threat to vessel operations and international trade, according to the release.
