U.S. Coast Guard photos by Activities Far East.
TOKYO — A U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security team completed a bilateral engagement with Kingdom of Tonga officials in January.
This engagement involved sharing best practices and visiting with the Ministry of Infrastructure Marine and Ports Division to observe the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code at three port facilities in Nuku’alofa: Vuna Wharf, Queen Salote Wharf and Touliki Oil Terminal.
“In a global economy, your security is our security,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Beaudoin, ISPS Program liaison officer, U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far East. “The U.S. Coast Guard appreciates Tonga’s invitation and their commitment to improving port security.”
The Kingdom of Tonga became signatory to the ISPS Code in 2004. The ISPS Program seeks to facilitate secure maritime commerce globally and prevent transnational crime organizations and terrorist from exploiting the maritime domain.
The U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security program 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 and regional 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, U.S. Coast Guard’s Activities Far East 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.