N.T. BRANCH CIRCULAR NO : NT/ISPS/SECURITY NOTICE/3 OF 2008
Dated : 26.09.2008
Subject : Security level at ISPS compliant Indian Ports
All Indian major/ non major ports and shipyards have been maintaining Security level 2 since 29th November 2006. Since it is not feasible to maintain security level 2 for such prolonged periods, the Directorate had advised all ports to hold a port security advisory committee meeting to obtain feedback from various local agencies and provide a feedback to the Directorate to review the security level at ports. Based on this feedback, some ports were directed to revert back to security level from the third week of July 2008.
However, in the wake of the recent security incidents in various parts of the country, all major/ non major ports were advised to initiate actions as deemed fit and necessary to secure and safeguard their respective ports against any form of terrorist activities which may include raising the security level under intimation to the Directorate.
Attention of all concerned is drawn to NT/ISPS/ POLICY Circular no. 07/ 2004 wherein ports authorities and Maritime boards shall disseminate security level information to ships calling at their ports well in advance and to the DG Communication Centre at the following contact details:
E-mail: dgcommcentre@satyammail.net
Fax No: 91 22 22613636.
Tel No: 91 22 22614646, 22610606, 32959320
Since Indian major/ non major ports/ shipyards are maintaining different security levels, the Directorate has been receiving numerous queries from ship operators on the security level status of Indian ports. Accordingly, it has been decided to display the current security level of all Indian ports on the Directorate’s website www.dgshipping.com (Shipping notices- ISPS- Security notices- 2008). Ships/ ship owners and all concerned seeking information on the security levels of Indian ports are advised to visit the DGS website at the provided link. Ships may also obtain the Security level at Indian ports from the Port Facility Security Officer/ local agents.
All ports/ shipyards are advised to verify the status of security level at their ports and ensure that the same is in conformity with the security level displayed on the DGS website. Any non conformity is to be reported to the DG Commcentre immediately. All ports are requested to inform users that the security level for the port can be obtained from the DGS website www.dgshipping.com or their own website as and when it is functional.
All ISPS compliant major / non major ports and shipyards are advised to regularly browse the GISIS (Global Integrated Shipping Information Service) - Maritime Security- on the IMO website www.imo.org to seek information about their ports. For this, ports/ other public seeking information are required to register themselves by entering a user name and password for public login which provides access to all public modules of GISIS. This is a free service and not chargeable.
Sd/-
(Capt. Rakesh Awasthi)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-
Dy. Director General of Shipping (Technical)
