Members of the U.S. Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program facilitated a three day
International Shipping and Port Facility Security Seminar with maritime security stakeholders in
December 2014. The Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime Affairs hosted the
event that was held at the Sol Antilles facility in Cay Bay, St. Maarten.
The U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security Program is charged by the U.S. Congress
with evaluating security in the ports of the U.S.’s maritime trading partners. The standard for
evaluation is the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, or ISPS Code, which was
adopted in 2004 by all signatories to the International Maritime Organization’s SOLAS (Safety
of Life at Sea) Convention. The International Port Security Program may extend an offer for
capacity building assistance in the form of training that gives back to the ISPS Code.
Representatives from the Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Sol
Group, IGY Marina, Viper Management Service, GB Energy, Sint Maarten Ports Authority,
Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, OSSEM Solutions, and Customs Department, were in
During the seminar, the stakeholders reviewed objectives, functionalities and requirements of
the ISPS Code, and best practices for drill, exercises, and audits. Ultimately, the experience
will improve the implementation and execution of the ISPS Code.