Exam revision Flashcards
What are some maritime threats?
-Terrorism
-Hijack
-Piracy
-Human trafficking / migration
-Stowaways
-Drug trafficking and other smuggling
-Theft
What does ISPS stand for?
The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code
When was the ISPS Code entered into force?
The code was adopted in 2002 and entered into force in July, 2004
Is the ISPS Code a part of SOLAS?
Yes, and compliance is mandatory for the contracting parties to SOLAS
What is the ISPS Code primarily for?
The code is designed primarily to detect security threats to ships and port facilities and prevent security incidents
The measures prescribed should avoid security risks. being delivered by ships to ports of countries that are potential targets of terrorist attacks
What does the ISPS Code apply to?
Ships engaged on international voyages and port facilities serving such ships
ISPS on board the ship
-International Ship Security Certificate
-Ship Security Assessment
-Ship Security Plan
-Ship Security Officer (SCO)
-Company Security Officer (CSO)
-Security equipment on board
-Continuous synopsis record
-IMO number
-Automated Identification System (AIS)
-Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)
-Long Range Identification and Tracking System (LRI&TS)
Requirements for Ports (ISPS)
-Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO)
-Port facility security assessments
-Port facility security plan (PFSP)
-Port security equipment
-Port security advisory committee
What does the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) do?
-Monitors security
-Raises awareness of security
-Reviews security plans
-Implements security plans
Explain the port security advisory committee
-Membership to reflect the range of people involved in port activities
-Must involve workers’ participation
-Works in conjunction with other port committees such as Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Committee
Explain Port Facility Security Assessment
A risk analysis of all aspects of a port facility’s operation in order to determine which part(s) of it are more susceptible, and/or more likely, to be the subject of attack
Security risk is a function of:
-the threat of an attack,
-the vulnerability of the target, and
-the consequences of an attack
Explain Port Facility Security Plan
PFSP means a plan developed to ensure the application of measures designed to protect the port facility and ships, persons, cargo, cargo transport units and ships stores within the port facility from the risks of a security incident
Management of security involves
-Security Level Changes
-Personnel with Security Duties
-Port Security Committee
-Response to and Reporting of Security Threats, Incidents and
-Breaches of Security
-Evacuation Procedures
-Document and Information Security
-Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances
-Security Training
-Security Drills and Exercises
Why is access and ID control important?
-Prevents access to the port by persons without a legitimate reason to be there and prevent those persons with legitimate reasons to be in the port from gaining illegal access to ships or other restricted port areas for the purpose of committing unlawful acts
-Prevent introduction of unauthorised weapons, dangerous pr hazardous substances and devices, into the port or vessels using the port
-Prevent personal injury or death, or damage to the port, port facility, ship or port infrastructure by explosive or other devices
-Prevent tampering with cargo, essential equipment, containers, utilities, protection systems, procedures and communication systems affecting the port
-Prevent smuggling of contraband, drugs, narcotics, other illegal substances and prohibited material
-Prevent other criminal activities, such as theft
-Protect against the unauthorised disclosure of classifies material, commercially proprietary information or security sensitive information
What are security levels?
-There are 3 security levels
-A port facility is required to act upon the security levels set by the Government within whose territory it is located
-Ship security level must match port security levels
What is security level 1?
Security level 1: Normal: minimum security maintained
-Measures may include random screening of personnel, baggage, material and store and vehicles, and the implementation of access and movement control
What is security level 2?
Security level 2: Heightened: additional protective security
-Increased frequency of screening, more robust monitoring of the port, extra patrolling, and more stringent movement control measures
What is security level 3?
Security level 3: Exceptional: further specific protective security measures for a limited time
-100% screening, increased identification checks, temporary cessation (cease) of some port activities and/or ship movements, restricting access to certain areas, deployment of security personnel to key infrastructure
What is the weakest link in port security?
The weakest link is poor training and awareness in human operators
What is Off-Port-Limits (OPL) Operations?
-Seaports offer OPL operations services to ships in transit, in need of specific port-related services
-OPL services help ships achieve time efficiency and minimum deviation, low cost, and economies of scale by minimising port calls
-OPL services are common at ports that are situated in major navigation node points, as minimal deviation from the direct route is needed
-E.g. Gibraltar, Cape Town, Falmouth, Suez, Panama City, Singapore, and Malta
Agreements for OPL Services
-The OPL services are prearranged by the shipping company’s operations department and the ship’s master
-The “rendezvous” position or meeting point is typically within a designated mileage (e.g. 3-5 nautical miles) OR a specific latitude and longitude off port boundaries
-Designated service boats/launches or helicopters are employed by the port authorities
What are some examples of OPL services?
-Bunkering e.g. Falmouth
-Procurement - victualing (provide food), stores, spare parts, mail
-Passenger drop-off - each launch boat can accommodate about 20 persons, and charge per trip
-Crew changes
-Disembarking persons in need of urgent medical care
-This spares the shipowner a deviation claim on behalf
of the charterers and prevents navigational delays
-Ship-to-ship transfers to reduce the draft prior to port entry or canal transit, or to save port charges
How do tankers do ship-to-ship transfers?
All tankers are equipped with pumps, which enables them to pump cargoes to the receiving ship. Cargo hoses must be fully supported. Fenders protect ships from damage.
Dry bulk ship-to-ship transfers
Note that some dry bulk ship-to-ship transfers can take place, but large dry bulk carriers do not have their own cargo handling equipment so many need floating cranes
Regulation of ship-to-ship transfers
-An approved STS operations plan must be in place
-Required by ISM Code for all ships, and MARPOL 78/73 Annex 1, Chapter 8, Regulations 40, 41 and 42, “Prevention of Pollution During Transfer of Oil Cargo Between Oil Tankers at Sea” for oil tankers
-The Merchant Shipping (ship-to-ship transfers) Regulations 2020: UK SI 2020 No. 94
-The regulations prohibit cargo transfers unless they are carried out within harbour authority waters or within the harbour permit area
Port arrival services include:
-Navigation aids
-Designated port anchorage
-Pilotage outside the port
-A dredged approach channel
-Locking and unlocking
-Sheltered water
-Pilotage in the port
-Towing
-Mooring and unmooring
-A safe berth
What information is required before a ship arrives at a port?
-Berth Request
-Notice of arrival (72 Hours prior to ship’s arrival)
-Special provisions for “Cargoes of Particular Hazards”
-Cargo manifest
-Customs manifest
-Payment guarantee
What do Berth Requests involve?
Prior to the ship’s estimated arrival, its agents or managers (operations department) should submit an online request to the port, providing the following information:
-Vessel’s name and previous names
-Ship’s main particulars, e.g., flag, ownership/management, charterers, deadweight (DWT), length overall (LOA), net tonnage (NT), gross tonnage (GT), draft, and so on
-Estimated date and time of arrival
-Estimate date and time of departure
-Cargo type and volume
-Cargo operations specified, that is, loading or discharging
What does Notice of Arrival involve?
At least 72 hours prior to the ship’s arrival at port, the ship’s operators, master, or agent should submit to the port a Notice of Arrival, with particulars that pertain to the ship and its managers, cargo type and quantity, any operational information and so on
Berth request application process
-Ship agents or operators register as designated users
-This enables efficient, user-friendly online berth request applications
-Allows the agent/operator to verify and monitor current status and amend or cancel their berth request
Notice of Arrival for Hazardous Cargoes
Special provisions for “Cargoes of Particular Hazard”
The shipowners or operators or agents should forward an Advance Notice of Arrival
-Ports should install light alarms at designated areas, which, in case of an emergency, are activated by the responsible operator
What is Cargo Manifest?
A listing of the goods comprising the cargo or freight carried in a means of transport or in a transport unit.
What is included in the Cargo Manifest?
The cargo manifest describes the particulars of the goods, such as transport documents numbers, consignors, consignees, marks and numbers, number and kind of packages, descriptions and quantities of the goods
N.B - The CUSTOMS manifest needs to be sent to customs when arriving in the first port in a country
-The cargo manifest must contain all cargo information
-Should be produces, prepared, and duly approved by the shipowners, master, or agents, in line with the port requirements
-It should be submitted to the port operators prior to the ship’s arrival
-After the completion of cargo operations, a statement reflecting any and all modifications of the manifest should be prepared and sent to the port
What is the minimum pre-arrival information required?
-Berth Request
-Notice of Arrival - 72 Hours prior to Ship’s arrival
-Special provisions for “Cargoes of Particular Hazard”
-Cargo manifest
Paying the port - Liner Shipping
The port has a contract with the liner company, which is the ship’s owner and manager
Large liner companies typically have a multiple year contract with the port
Paying the port - Tramp Shipping
A bank guarantee or other guarantee of the payment of port expenses or disbursements may be required
Examples of port costs
-Cargo handling costs - usually by ton of cargo or per TEU
-Ship dues, port dues or docking dues: levied by the port on all ships that enter the port
-Ship dues cover the cost of port infrastructure,
including berths and navigation channels
-Ship handling charges
-Pilotage, boatmen and tugs may be included or
charged separately by contractors
-Agency charges
-Cost of lost time at sea
-Environmental cost - minimised by efficient port operations
Why is employee retention important?
-High employee turnover rates increase recruitment costs
-High employee turnover rates weaken the knowledge and skill base of the organisation
-Teamwork, which is important for safety, require a stable workforce
What are the benefits of working at sea?
-Excellent wages
-Life skills
-Not your normal 9-5 job
-Travel
-Long Holidays
-Career flexibility and stability
-Fast growth
-Promotion and progression
-Savings
-New friends and connections
What are the challenges of working at sea?
-Away from home/land
-Social isolation
-Fatigue
-Danger
-Limited internet access
What is done to fight seafarer retention?
To retain seafarers, shipping companies have provided various fringe (extra benefit supplementing an employees salary) benefits:
-Re-joining bonuses
-Seniority bonuses
-Basic salaries while on vacation, medical benefits for the seafarers and their dependants, and educational benefits for children
-Improving working and loving conditions is another strategy, such as providing internet access
How are pilotage charges calculated?
Pilotage charges are based on draught, gross tonnage (GT), net tonnage (NT), deadweight (DWT) or a combination of these AND the pilotage area
-Additional services charged per services
-Typical rate for a small commercial ship is £300-£700
-Rate for a deep draft ship is £2000-£20,000 depending on distance and service offered
-Discounts are available for regular port calls
About pilotage services
-The use of pilots is mandatory in most ports, terminals, canals, and inland waterways
-Pilots have local knowledge of tidal fluctuations, draft restrictions, heavy traffic, hazardous reefs and shallows etc.
-Port manoeuvres have a high rise of grounding, allision or collision
-Navigators may be unfamiliar with the port or with
operating in confined waters
-Pilotage exemptions may be available for frequent
users
-Ships carry paper and electronic charts, tidal and port entry information that should be updated frequently
-Pilots enhance this information with local knowledge and expertise of frequent ship handling
-Maritime accident statistics show that accidents, human error, claims, and legal cases have occurred when pilots were not mandatory and were not used
-Pilot boarding and departure takes place at the edge of port limits and is a hazardous operation
