Inspections and Enforcement
Harbour Masters may be recognised as the competent authority in the enforcement of port maritime and nautical legislation and therefore may have legal powers. Powers that they exercise in the enforcement of laws or port bylaws may include powers of inspection and detention. Harbour Masters should be fully aware of the extent of their powers and under which legislation they apply.
Detention of vessels
Harbour Masters may have powers to detain a vessel and will be consulted when a vessel detention is considered.
Port state control
Some countries may give port state control duties to Harbour Masters.
Stores and crew
When a ship enters a port, it must declare to the customs organisation, at least 24 hours before arrival, the cargo (cargo manifest), the stores on board and the belongings of the crew. Similarly, the passenger and crew list has to be sent to the immigration office before arrival. This is regulated by the IMO Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (IMO FAL convention). During the stay in port, a ship can take on stores, discharge waste, change crew and disembark or embark passengers. All these operations have to be declared to the customs and the immigration authorities, both of which will need to give clearance before the ship departs.
Dangerous goods authority
The IMO’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code governs the carriage of dangerous goods by ships. The handling of dangerous goods on port premises is governed by national regulations. The handling of dangerous goods is part of the day-to-day business of ports and depending on local arrangements may be the Harbour Master's responsibility. While some ports or terminals are specialised in handling dangerous goods in bulk, the majority of ports and terminals may handle dangerous goods in smaller packaged quantities.
The safe stowage of dangerous goods on board ships as well as on terminal premises has to be controlled. Risk assessments have to be conducted and proper response strategies have to be developed in co-operation with, for instance, the fire brigade and handling terminals.
The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)
In the past, port security was concerned with deterring theft, the passage of illegal immigrants and countering smuggling and contraband. Some smaller ports had no security measures of any significance. Other, larger ports, had their own security personnel.
In other countries, ports were considered military installations and security was an integral part of their management.
This changed in the light of the 9/11 attacks in the USA in 2001. The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) was agreed in 2002, came into force in 2004, and is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities based on risk management that determines what security measures are appropriate.
The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) is intended to provide improved protection from terrorist attacks for all port facilities receiving seagoing ships larger than 500 Gross Ton on international routes.
The ISPS Code, the 2012 Guide and other IMO publications are available for purchase at IMO's Catalogue & Book Code List.
ISPS, PSO and PFSO
In many ports the Harbour Master is also the Port Security Officer (PSO) and members of the marine team may be Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) and have obligations under the ISPS Code. Many ports have facilities within their area of jurisdiction and these facilities will have their own Security Plans. Irrespective of whether the Harbour Master is the port security officer or not, he or she will need to be fully aware of the requirements of the ISPS code as it applies to their port and will be involved in developing, implementing and monitoring Port Security Exercises and audits from time to time.
The Antwerp Port Authority has introduced a game with a difference, an on-line tool that seeks to create security awareness in a port as port users learn how they can make their own individual contribution towards a more safe and secure port in an entertaining way. The on-line port security game will make port users aware of their responsibility to report suspicious situations, take the correct actions and inform the right people. You can play the game on the website of the Port of Antwerp. It is also available for download on the iTunes App store for free.
- A port facilities security handbook can be accessed here.
- Port facility security documents may be adapted from example templates here.
Latest News & Events
Investments to improve efficiency and expand port capacity
Modernisation will help shift cargo from roads to shipping and railway
Turkey’s maritime industry is receiving a boost thanks to a new loan from the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) of US$ 17.5 million to the operator of Tekirdag port on the Sea of Marmara. ICBC Turkey is providing an equal loan.
Ceyport Tekirdag Uluslararasi Liman Isletmeciligi is operating the port under a 36-year concession granted by the Turkish privatisation authority last year (2018).
It is understood that the EBRD loan will partially finance the acquisition of operating rights, the modernisation of the port and the expansion of its capacity, to which the company has committed under the concession agreement.
Tekirdag port handles general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, containers and ro-ro vessels and serves industrial and agricultural production and trade in the region.
It is the only port in the western Marmara Sea that provides both ro-ro and rail-ferry services to the eastern Marmara region. Enhanced port infrastructure will play a key role in directing a larger share of cargo from roads towards railway and shipping lines, which are more environmentally friendly alternatives.
The port operator is a subsidiary of Cey Group, one of the largest logistics groups in Turkey, which also includes Ceynak Lojistik and the operators of Samsun port and Mesbas port located in the Mersin Free Zone.
Member States of the IMO have urged further firm action in coming years to advance gender equality throughout the maritime sector and reach a barrier-free environment, following a year of action to “empower women in the maritime community” – the World Maritime theme for 2019.
IMO Assembly adoption of resolution
The IMO Assembly, meeting for its 31st session from 25 November to 4 December adopted a resolution on Preserving the Legacy of the World Maritime Theme for 2019 and achieving a Barrier-Free Working Environment for Women in the Maritime Sector.
This resolution urges governments, maritime administrations and the industry to endeavour to reach a barrier-free environment for women, so that all women can participate fully, safely and without hindrance in the activities of the maritime community, including seafaring and shipbuilding activities.
Furthermore, the resolution notes testimony from women from across the various maritime industries which demonstrates that barriers and obstacles still exist at every level. Work towards gender equality, including the fostering of a safe environment for women in the maritime sector, remains incomplete and should continue to be pursued.
Governments, maritime administrations and the industry should consider ways to continuously identify and overcome existing constraints in all aspects of the maritime sector, in particular, in terms of recruitment, promotion, training, capacity-building and technical cooperation.
Become a Member
Join the world’s premier professional body for harbour masters and receive up-to-date information on the industry and access to the members' area of the website.
