1 The 2002 SOLAS Conference that adopted SOLAS chapter XI-2, the ISPS Code, and associatedconferenceresolutions,wasawareofpotentialhumanaspectproblemsaffectingthe fundamentalhumanrightsofseafarerswiththeimpositionofasecurityregimeoninternational shippingonaglobalbasis.Itwasrecognizedthatseafarerswouldhavetheprimarydutiesand responsibilitiesforimplementingthenewsecurityregimeforships. Atthesametime,therewas concernthattheemphasisonportfacilitysecuritymayresultintheshipandseafarersbeingviewed as a potential threat to security rather than partners in the new security regime.
2 Inthisregard,itwasrecognizedthattheremaybeconflictsbetweensecurityandhuman rights,aswellasbetweensecurityandtheefficientmovementofshipsandcargoesininternational tradethatisessentialtotheglobaleconomy.Theremustbeaproperbalancebetweentheneedsof security,theprotectionofthehumanrightsofseafarersandportworkers,andtherequirementto maintain the safety and working efficiency of the ship by allowing access to ship support services suchasthetakingonofstores,repairandmaintenanceofessentialequipment,andothervital activities that are appropriately undertaken while moored at port facilities.
3 The2002SOLASConferenceincorporatedtheprotectionofthefundamentalhumanrights of seafarers into SOLAS chapterXI-2andtheISPSCode.ThePreambletotheISPSCodeclearly states that the Code shall not be interpreted in a manner that is inconsistent with existing internationalinstrumentsprotectingtherightsandfreedomsofmaritimeandportworkers.The Preamble also called to the attention of ContractingGovernmentsthatinapprovingsecurityplans theyshouldbeawareoftheneedforseafarer'sshoreleaveandaccesstoshore-basedwelfare facilities and medical care.
4 Toaddresstheseconcernsandprinciples,sectionA/16.3.15oftheISPSCodeprovidesthata portfacilitysecurityplan(PFSP)mustcontainproceduresforfacilitatingshoreleave,crewchanges andaccessforvisitorsincludingrepresentativesofseafarers'welfareandlabourorganizations.This shouldbeconstruedasincludingshore-basedshipsupportpersonnelandthetakingonboardof ship'sstores. TheguidancecontainedinparagraphB/16.8.14oftheISPSCodereinforcesthis requirementbyprovidingthatthePFSPshouldcontainsuchproceduresrelatingtoallsecurity levels.
5 In approving PFSPs, Contracting Governments must ensure that PFSPs address the proceduresdescribedinsectionA/16.3.15oftheISPSCode,takingintoaccounttheguidancein paragraph B/16.8.14 of the ISPS Code.
6 Fromapracticalperspective,itisalsoimportantthatportfacilitiesseekabalancebetween theneedsofsecurityandtheneedsoftheshipanditscrew.Aportfacilityoperatorshouldensureco- ordinationofshoreleaveforshippersonnelorcrewchange-out,aswellasaccessthroughtheport facility for visitors to the ship, including representatives of seafarers' welfare and labour organizationsandthoseconcernedwiththemaintenanceofships' quipmentandsafeoperation, withshipoperatorsinadvanceoftheship'sarrival.Asingularfocusonthesecurityoftheport facilityiscontrarytotheletterandspiritoftheISPSCodeandwillhaveseriousconsequencesfor theinternationalmaritimetransportationsystemthatisavitalcomponentoftheglobaleconomy.Itis further noted that the ILO/IMO Code of Practice for Port Security recommends that all port stakeholders work co-operatively to make such arrangements and advance plans.