ISPS claims first victim

An elderly Bolivian general cargoship appears to have become the first victim of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code crackdown.

The 450-dwt Dahomey Express (built 1962) was refused entry to Miami by the US Coast Guard for failing to have the ISPS certification required from the start of July. The vessel was initially directed to an anchorage but Coast Guard officials later told the ship to put to sea. The vessel is owned and operated by LASS of Le Paz and is a Norwegian built ice strengthened vessel that was formerly Norwegian controlled. There are reports up to a dozen other ships being interdicted by the US Coast Guard over the last 24 hours for security related matters but the Dahomey Express seems to be the only vessel turned away for non-compliance with the ISPS code.

The Dahomey Express was in ballast but lacked valid certificates and approved security plans according to the Coast Guard.

Other instances of non-compliance are expected to turn up around the world over the coming days and weeks although the introduction of the ISPS code seems to have got off to generally a smooth start.

Port Technology International - 5 July 2004