New Providence Primary School students, who came out on top in the Shipping Association of Jamaica/ Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains-sponsored poster competition show off their prizes. (From left) Second-place winner, Jeneil Thomas, third-place winner, Shamar Watson and first-place winner Tamla Thompson. The poster competition was put on in commemoration of World Earth Day under the topic, 'A Call for Climate'. - Contributed

With the transportation sector being a prime target for terrorists, protecting maritime transport is the responsibility of all terminal users.

To this end, terminal users were recently sensitised on the effects of such an attack by Simon Bolt, consultant with Underwater and Security Consultants in London, England.

Bolt, speaking at the sensitisation workshop held at Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) said, "traditional targets have become hardened (and) maritime targets have the potential for a spectacular attack."

Security measures

Bolt implored terminal users to use their intuition along with formal security measures, adding that vigilance is a strong weapon against terrorist attacks.

Not only does terrorism cause destruction and loss of life, but acts of terrorism including piracy (in the form of organised crime), extortion and smuggling also have cost effects. The cost to the maritime sector per stowaway carrying up to 2kg of drugs is an estimated US$70,000, Bolt pointed out.

An act of terrorism in local waters could also affect trade and tourism, which would in turn have severe effects on the local economy. As such, terminal users should be observant at all times as this is an important tool to displace terrorism.

Gov't collaboration

The workshop was put on by the Organisation of American States (OAS) in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica which has taken the initiative to provide technical assistance to terminal users. This was in keeping with the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code.

The port of Kingston, including Kingston Wharves Limited, was certified under the ISPS Code in July 2004. The ISPS is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities and was developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.