After the tragic events of 11 September 2001 in the United States of America, a Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security was held at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which adopted a number of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, including the International Ship and Port Facility Security Plan (ISPS) Code.
The objectives of the ISPS Code are to:
The functional requirements are to:
In Solomon Islands, The SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code have force of law as per the Shipping Act 1998 as amended. The Maritime Safety Administration (Ship and Port Security) Regulations 2011 prescribes security measures for ships and port facilities operating in Solomon Islands waters and give the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) as the Designated Authority (DA) and its Director powers to establish security levels (1 to 3) and verify the implementation of the ISPS Code by port facilities visited by vessels engaged in international voyages to which the ISPS Code applies. The ISPS Code also encourages governments to implement security measures in port facilities and vessels not subject to the ISPS Code.
A Maritime Security Committee has been established to ensure security measures compliant to international and national standards are implemented at all times and there is effective and close collaboration, cooperation and communication between all enforcement agencies, port facilities and private maritime operators.
Members of the Committee are: Director SIMA (Chairperson), the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) (Deputy Chairperson), Customs and Excise Division, National Security Division, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Solfish Company Limited, Tradco Shipping Limited, and Nofokava Transport Logistic.
As per the Maritime Safety Administration (Ship and Port Security) Regulations 2011, SIMA is the Designated Authority (DA) for maritime security and has responsibilities in:
As of today, there are three port facilities identified by SIMA required to implement the ISPS Code because operating international vessels:
For more information, please read our circulars.
Maritime Security Circular 6 -2022 – September 2022
Maritime Security Circular 5 -2022 – August 2022
Maritime Security Circular 4 -2022 – July 2022
Maritime Security Circular 3-2022 – April 2022
Maritime Security Circular 2-2022 – March 2022
Maritime Security Circular 5-2021 – December 2021
Maritime Security Circular 4-2021 – November 2021
Maritime Security Circular 3-2021 – October 2021
Maritime Security Circular 2-2021 – September 2021
Maritime Security Circular 1-2021 – August 2021