London Workshop on EU Port Security Declared as “Good Timing”

Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants hosted a successful workshop in London, on Tuesday 4 April to explore the details of EU Directive 2005/65 “on enhancing port security” thanks to the attendance of some 50 delegates and speakers from the European Commission, the European Sea Ports Organisation and the Federation of European Private Port Operators. Fourteen national maritime administrations were represented as were major ports such as Antwerp and Rotterdam.

Christian Dupont, Deputy Head of the EC’s Maritime Security Unit congratulated MUSC on the very good timing of the workshop – just 14 months ahead of the date when each EU member state is obliged to transpose the Directive into National Law.

Patrick Verhoeven, Secretary General of ESPO said: “This is good legislation and our members have had little cause to call for amendments. It is appropriate that this workshop is being held in London, the maritime capital of Europe and probably of the World.

Chris Austen, CEO of MUSC was very pleased with the output of the delegate workshops: “National maritime authorities from across Europe have come together in London to share their expert knowledge and individual interpretations of how this Directive should be implemented in such a relatively short timescale. Our aim was to enable a coordinated approach to implementation of this new EU legislation that will contribute to a general improvement in security at Europe’s major trading ports. I feel confident that this process has now been enabled and we hope to offer MUSC services to accelerate the risk assessment process using our risk assessment database tool,” said Mr Austen.

Notes:

1. Directive 2005/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 on enhancing port security (and of relevance to the European Economic Area) was enacted in the EU Parliament, and published on 25 November. This document is now EU law and nations have 18 months to bring in their national legislation.

2. MUSC is a well-established maritime risk consultancy based in Central London onboard HQS Wellington, the home of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.