MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Top ISPS marks for Punta Arenas shipyard.

Chilean Navy Shipyards, Asmar, in Punta Arenas and Talcahuano were awarded last week the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, ISPS, in compliance with the December 2002 International Maritime Organization, IMO, anti terrorist measures

The ISPS code certification together with the quality norm ISO 9.001 represents an extraordinary boost for the Chilean naval industry, according to Chilean Navy sources, since it ensures potential customers "full guarantees".

The certification ceremony took place in Asmar headquarters in Valparaíso and was extended by the Chilean Maritime Territory and Merchant Navy Office in representation of IMO.

The ISPS norm target is to reinforce security with the purpose of preventing terrorist actions against vessels, port terminals and other coastal establishments such as shipyards.

The norm became effective July 1 and was incorporated by IMO to the 1974 Solas (Safety of Life at Sea) rule for the protection of maritime traffic and world trade following the September 11, 2001 attacks against the World Trade Center in New York. The ISPS code helps to establish a standard structure to assess risks and determine counter measures to threats from possible vulnerabilities in vessels and port facilities.