The ISPS Code deadline may have come and gone but the world's port industry still has a long way to go to prove satisfactory compliance with new security requirements, analysts say. Despite a desperate last-minute dash to achieve compliance with the Code, many ports proved commentators' predictions correct in failing to have properly approved Port Facility Security Plans in place by 1 July. However, pressure on such facilities shows no signs of easing with the US Coast Guard (USCG) announcing a far-reaching inspection tour of foreign ports, a leading UK naval figure warning of potential attacks on merchant shipping and senior Singaporean officials stating that the ISPS Code does not go far enough, particularly in the container sector. Speaking at a maritime security conference in Singapore at the beginning of August, the USCG Far East head Capt Mike Blair told delegates that his organisation plans to visit 130 countries to gauge their level of port security compliance. About a third of these, including Singapore which the USCG has already visited, will be inspected by the end of this year but the visits will continue through 2005.
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