YOUNG SEAFARERS SLAM ISPS CODE

Source: Maritime Global

A GROUP of young seafarers brought together as a focus group has condemned IMO's International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code as unjust. In a statement they say: “One of the major aspects [resulting from their workshop sessions] relates to the ISPS Code which we believe unjustly identifies us a potential terrorists and criminal suspects and is also used in many cases as an argument for denying us our rights to shore leave in many countries around the world. We believe this is unacceptable and we urge the IMO to promote more collaboration between administrations, ports and terminals to address the balance regarding ISPS requirements of ships.”

The 20 volunteers of seven different nationalities drawn from the membership of Intertanko and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) add: “We would also recommend establishing an international reporting scheme to enable us to report cases where shore leave is denied.” Intertanko and ITF brought the group together in London for three days in London to express their views on their career and life at sea, and on what attracts young people to the shipping industry and retains them there. Intertanko and ITF say: “All of the group were young, serving seafarers of all ranks and from all ship types; all were proud of being professional seafarers; all were active participants in the discussions.”

Their initial findings were discussed directly by them with heads of industry and then presented in person to the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The two organising bodies say: “We believe that these findings will provide additional stimulus within the industry to address attraction and retention issues.”