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Security Levels
International Port Security Program
International Port Security Liaison Officers
(IPSLO)
The IPSLOs in U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far East
engage with 47 partner nations and territories in the regions of East Asia,
Southeast Asia, South Asia, Eurasia, Pacific and Africa. Our offices are
located in Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
You can reach us at
feact@uscg.mil
or contact our offices.
Japan: +81.311.755.8405
Singapore: +65.6750.2340
South Korea: +82.2397.4977
Background
Threats to the maritime transportation
industry are not limited to storms, shoals, and other natural perils of the
sea. The actions of terrorists, pirates, smugglers, stowaways, and criminals
exploiting the sea for illicit ends has demonstrated the need for the
world’s flag and port states to work cooperatively to reduce risk. In an
effort to codify and standardize a comprehensive approach to effective,
consistent international maritime security, the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) and
its Member States developed the International Ship and Port Facility
Security (ISPS) Code.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s International Port Security (IPS) Program was
established in 2003 to reinforce implementation of the ISPS Code as part of
the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). Through the assessment
of ISPS Code implementation and other anti-terrorism security measures in
foreign ports and through bilateral discussions to share and align port
security practices, the Coast Guard IPS Program seeks to reduce risks to
U.S. ports and ships, and to the entire maritime transport system.
As an internationally accepted blueprint for maritime security measures, the
ISPS Code serves as a sound foundation from which countries can build their
own domestic maritime security system. Through its IPS Program, the U.S.
Coast Guard is committed to assisting those nations that have not fully
implemented the ISPS Code. We are also committed to furthering our
engagement and security dialogue with our maritime trading partners that are
moving beyond the ISPS Code through advancements in their maritime
operational capabilities, maritime situational awareness, and maritime
governance.
These efforts require international cooperation between the maritime
industry and all flag and port states. By exchanging port security-related
information and sharing best practices, we can better protect the
international maritime transport system through the application of adequate
and proportionate security measures. Ultimately, vessels arriving in the
United States from foreign ports with adequate security measures are less
likely to be targeted for port state control actions. This reduces potential
delays and facilitates safe and secure maritime trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the objective of the International Port
Security Program?
In partnership with our maritime trading partners, the International Port
Security Program seeks to reduce risk to U.S. maritime interests, including
U.S. ports and ships, and to facilitate secure maritime trade globally.
Through reciprocal port visits, the discussion and sharing of port security
best practices and the development of mutual interests in securing ships
coming to the United States, both U.S. port security and the security of the
global maritime transport system are enhanced. IPS Program visits and
discussions are instrumental to the U.S. Coast Guard having confidence in
the effectiveness of a port state’s implementation of the ISPS Code and
other international maritime security standards and to enhance port security
measures beyond the minimum requirements of the ISPS Code. We seek to
improve port security in foreign ports to provide mutual benefits to the
United States and our maritime trading partners.
Why is this important?
Maritime security standards have not traditionally been a part of the
culture; however, those days are over. More so than perhaps any other
industry, maritime shipping and passenger transportation involves the
collective investment of all nations. Between a vessel’s flag, crew, owner,
cargo, passengers, insurers and port calls, each of its voyages can involve
dozens of nations. This interdependence that leads to mutual prosperity
during periods of productive trade, can also bind us together in loss during
disasters or terrorist incidents. A terrorist attack involving the shipping
industry in one nation would have ramifications around the world. For that
reason, it is important that maritime states align their understanding of
the best, most practical and most cost effective means to reach the goal of
a secure global maritime transport system.
What is your general approach?
We believe personal interaction is the best way to improve and uphold
international port security standards and to achieve mutual goals. The U.S.
Coast Guard has liaison officers dedicated to all maritime trading nations
in the world. These liaison officers maintain regular communication with our
respective Embassies and local maritime professionals, including government
authorities responsible for maritime and port security as well as port
officials and port facility security officers – fostering relationships and
sharing security related information. In addition, these officers coordinate
regular visits to foreign ports to observe port security measures in place.
These visits ensure the smooth and secure movement of people and goods
between our ports and throughout the global maritime transport system.
What countries have you visited?
The Coast Guard IPS Program has visited nearly every coastal state in the
world. Our strong partnerships with over 150 countries is the result of
personal visits both in the host nation and on reciprocal visits to the
United States, when we share new information, offer recommendations to each
other, and review improvements. We seek to visit countries at least annually
to maintain our cooperative relationship and to further our mutual goals of
a secure maritime transport system.
What can a country expect when the
Coast Guard visits?
Each of our visits are tailored to reflect a mutually agreeable agenda.
Visits typically include:
Government Engagement: We meet with representatives of the
ISPS Code Designated Authority and other agencies with maritime and port
security responsibly to share how nations implement the ISPS Code as well as
other measures that improve security.
Port Visits: We tour local ports alongside the Port
Facility Security Officers to observe security measures in action and
exchange recommendations.
U.S. Embassy: The Coast Guard is one of several U.S.
Government entities focusing its attention on the security of maritime
trade. When appropriate, we strive to work with our partner agencies to
maximize benefits to the host nation and minimize redundancy. We meet with
officers at our embassy to coordinate our efforts with the Department of
State as well as other agencies in the Department of Homeland Security such
as Customs and Border Protection, as well as the Department of Energy, and
the Department of Defense.
Is Training Available?
The IPS Program is dedicated to supporting nations that show a commitment to
improving their port security. We are involved in workshops, conferences,
and tailored seminars. In addition, the Coast Guard’s Office of
International Affairs offers a variety of port safety and security related
courses. Our liaison officers can help make this information available. The
IPS Program also partners with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC),
the Organization of American States (OAS), and other multi-lateral bodies
to provide subject matter experts for the port security training these
organizations offer.
If a ship arrives in the United States
from a port or a country that does not comply with the IMO standards, what
happens?
As the Port State Control authority in the United States, the Coast Guard is
responsible for protecting U.S. ports. Foreign states that do not, or
cannot, maintain effective antiterrorism measures are listed in a public
Port Security Advisory, published on the Coast Guard’s Homeport web site at
https://homeport.uscg.mil. The Coast
Guard imposes conditions of entry on vessels sailing to the United States
from foreign ports that do not comply with IMO standards, particularly the
ISPS Code. These conditions of entry could result in additional costs for
the vessels while in U.S. ports, delays in transit times due to security
requirements, or decreased traffic to that foreign port because of increased
costs in security, insurance, and other precautionary measures. Additional
requirements may be imposed regarding the transit or operation of the
vessel. The vessel may be able to reduce some of the requirements by taking
measures consistent with a higher security level while in a less secure port
prior to transit to the United States.
Will the U.S. receive visits from other
countries?
The Coast Guard invites countries with ports that send ships to the United
States to participate in reciprocal visits to observe the United States
Coast Guard’s ISPS Code implementation procedures and other aspects of our
port security. During the visit, delegates will have opportunities to visit
with Coast Guard Headquarters’ staff and discuss regulatory and policy
development processes, evaluation of security assessment and plan review and
approval processes, and visit field units to observe implementation of the
Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP). Delegations will tour ports with similar
industries and capacities as their own. Since 2005, over 80 countries have
visited the United States to share valuable insight with our port officials
and return home with new perspectives for the security in their own ports.
Requests for these visits should be made through your Coast Guard
International Port Security Liaison Officer (IPSLO) or through the U.S.
Embassy in country.
Where can I find more information
regarding maritime security programs in the United States?
The Coast Guard has developed an extensive library of information on the
implementation and enforcement of maritime transport security regulations
and policy. This information is located under “Maritime Security” on the
United States Coast Guard Homeport website:
https://homeport.uscg.mil. This site
provides access to the United States’ Maritime Transportation Security Act
regulations and the ISPS Code. Additionally, various forms, frequently asked
questions, best practices, presentations, training modules, and liaison
officer assignments can be found at this website.
If you have questions on this program, contact:
The Maritime Security Help Desk Phone:
1.877.687.2243 (toll free) option “8”
Website:
https://homeport.uscg.mil
Navigate to the IPS Program Tab
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