U.S. Coast Guard photos by Activities Far East.
SINGAPORE — A U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security team completed a bilateral engagement with Samoan officials in March.
This engagement involved sharing best practices and visiting with the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure to observe the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code at the Port of Apia.
“Everyone has security responsibilities in our global economy and the U.S. Coast Guard appreciates Samoa’s invitation and their commitment to improving port security,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bryson Spangler, IPS liaison officer, U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far East.
In 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard developed the IPS Program to reinforce the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security Code. Samoa became signatory to the ISPS Code in 2004. The ISPS Program seeks to reduce risk to U.S. maritime interests, including U.S. ports and ships, and to facilitate secure maritime trade globally.
Under the auspices of this program, a U.S. Coast Guard IPS team conducts an annual visit to assess the effectiveness of seaport anti-terrorism measures and provides recommendations to government officials to reduce the risk of a maritime security incidents and impacts to the global supply chain. The ISPS program is designed to assist seaports overcome security challenges in a dynamic and ever changing threat environment.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Activities Far East unit coordinates with over 40 countries to execute these bilateral engagements. The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to promoting and facilitating safe and secure maritime trade.